Christopher Reeve gets a secret tribute in the new ‘Supergirl’ movie
Christopher Reeve’s legacy will live on in a subtle but very personal way in the new Great girl film, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
The star, Milly Alcock, has revealed that her costume contains material from the cape that the iconic late actor wore in 1978 Superman.
The tribute was announced by Australian Alcock, 26, ahead of the release of Warner Bros.’ Great girl later this month.
The actress, who makes her debut as Kara Zor-El in the highly anticipated superhero film, explained that costume designers incorporated fabric from Reeve’s original cape into her own costume.
Reeve, who died in 2004 at the age of 52 after complications related to an infection years after being crippled following a fall while horseback riding, remains one of the most beloved actors to play Superman and is widely considered the definitive film adaptation of the character.
Speaking about the connection between the new film and Superman’s cinematic past, Alcock revealed the remarkable details hidden in her costume.
She said, “My cape in this movie was recreated using material from the original Superman cape. Yeah, I think they discovered there was like 55 feet of that material, so yeah, that’s in the back of my cape now.”
The revelation was welcomed by fans of Reeve, whose life was transformed by a catastrophic horse riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
In the years that followed, he became an influential advocate for disability rights and spinal cord research, helping to establish a legacy that extended far beyond his acting career.
A source close to the production of Great girl told us: “The decision to literally include a tribute to Christopher was never intended as a publicity stunt. It was a genuine gesture of respect for him and all he represented to generations of Superman fans.
“There was a sense among the creative team that the next generation of DC heroes should remain connected to the people who built on his superhero legacy. Using part of Christopher’s original cape was seen as a meaningful way to honor that history.”
Reeve first appeared as Superman in Richard Donner’s 1978 blockbuster Supermanin which he later reprized the role Superman II, Superman III, And Superman IV: The Search for Peace.
His portrayal helped define the modern superhero film and continues to influence adaptations of the character decades later.
Alcock admitted this while recalling the moment she decided to pursue the role, saying, “I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, ‘Who am I to turn down this opportunity?’
“I knew this was what I had to do, because it scared me. And I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to have a big, bad, beautiful life. Why don’t you go for it? Just go for it! What are you afraid of? Get over yourself.'”
Another film insider said the hidden tribute to the Reeve cape serves as a symbolic passing of the torch between generations of DC heroes.
They added: “For the audience, it’s a costume detail. For the people who worked on the film, it’s a reminder that Christopher Reeve’s influence is still woven into the fabric of these characters.”
