Supergirl actress Milly Alcock's heartbreaking admission as DC movie bombs at box office
It's been a difficult start for Supergirl after the highly anticipated DC film failed to take flight at the box office following its release last week (26 June).
Despite arriving with plenty of hype following the success of James Gunn's Superman last year, the superhero blockbuster has opened to disappointing figures.
Starring House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, Supergirl earned just $38 million (£28m) domestically and $68 million (£50m) worldwide during its opening weekend. That was well below Warner Bros.' reported target of $55 million in North American ticket sales.
The film, which reportedly cost around $170 million to make before marketing costs, now faces an uphill battle to recoup its budget.
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The box office bomb comes just weeks after Alcock opened up about the enormous pressure she felt taking on one of DC's biggest roles.
Speaking to Variety before the film's release, the 26-year-old Australian actress admitted she was terrified during the audition process because of what landing the part would mean for her career.
"It's the stakes, you know?" she said.
After eventually being cast, the reality of leading her own superhero film quickly set in.
"I was like, 'I have to do all that?! No!' Because she's in, like, every scene."
Alcock also admitted she nearly talked herself out of accepting the opportunity altogether before giving herself a pep talk.
"I looked at myself in the mirror, and I was like, 'Who am I to turn down this opportunity?'"
She continued: "I knew that it was what I needed to do, because it scared me. And I thought, 'Well, I get one big, bad, beautiful life. Why not f*cking go for it?'"
Despite embracing the challenge, Alcock has previously spoken about the emotional toll that comes with starring in a major franchise.
After finding fame in House of the Dragon, she became the target of online abuse and admitted that reading criticism can sometimes reinforce her own insecurities.
"Because sometimes people reinforce beliefs that you have about yourself, and you're like, 'Now someone's said it! It's true!' And you've got to remind yourself that it's not," she explained.
She added that she's trying to spend less time online, saying: "It's something I'm trying to get better at. I'm Gen Z! Yeah, I grew up online, so I'm actively trying not to engage, although how could you not?"
While Supergirl has struggled with critics as well as audiences, Alcock previously said making the film changed her in unexpected ways.
"What Kara was going through that I was going through is she's someone who has been at war with themselves. And I think that's a very universal feeling, especially for women," she said.
"So it's been a really surprising journey. I never thought taking on a superhero film would do that. But it has! And what a beautiful thing."
Topics: TV And Film, Celebrity, Cinema
Rhiannon Ingle