Supergirl Box Office Collapse Ignites Industry Debate as Original Star Hails Lead Actress

Original ‘Supergirl’ star Helen Slater has publicly expressed strong support for the latest Warner Bros. adaptation and its lead actress Milly Alcock, even as the film faces a severe box office underperformance.

Directed by Craig Gillespie, the DC Studios release has drawn widespread criticism after earning only $38 million domestically during its opening weekend — significantly below projections.

“I loved the new Supergirl film,” Slater stated in an interview. “I thought Milly Alcock was astonishing — fierce, strong, and great comic timing.”

Slater made her acting debut at age 18 as Kara Zor-El in the original 1984 ‘Supergirl’ movie, which also starred Faye Dunaway, Mia Farrow, and Peter O’Toole. The role remained her only superhero appearance after the TriStar Pictures release earned just $14 million domestically.

She has since appeared in films including ‘The Legend of Billie Jean’ and ‘City Slickers,’ recurred on the television series ‘Smallville’ as Clark Kent’s mother, and played the adoptive mother of Melissa Benoist’s character in the ‘Supergirl’ TV series.

Slater also earned a doctorate in mythological studies and depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.

The praise contrasts starkly with the film’s financial trajectory. Industry estimates indicate the movie was expected to earn closer to $50 million domestically but has instead fallen short, potentially losing between $100 million and $120 million during its theatrical run.

The underperformance has triggered public backlash, including remarks from Megyn Kelly during a recent television interview.

“We’re over the forced-upon-us girlboss era,” Kelly stated. “We’re no longer buying it. It’s not that women can’t be empowered and fierce — it’s just, stop forcing it on us in the form of ‘Supergirl.'”

Kelly also criticized Alcock’s comments regarding gender dynamics in superhero films, stating, “People don’t want to hear it.”