Dean Cain is facing backlash after appearing to laugh at a viral meme mocking "Supergirl" star Milly Alcock’s appearance. The Dean Cain Slammed After Cruel Comment About ‘Supergirl’ Star first appeared on The Blast

Dean Cain is facing backlash after appearing to laugh at a viral meme mocking “Supergirl” star Milly Alcock’s appearance. The former “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” actor sparked outrage online after responding to a social media post that compared the 26-year-old actress to Cha-ka, the ape-like character from the 1974 television series “Land of the Lost.” The exchange quickly gained traction among superhero fans, many of whom accused Cain of unnecessarily targeting Alcock as she prepares to lead one of DC’s biggest upcoming films.

Dean Cain Responds To Viral Meme About Milly Alcock

The controversy began after a user on X, formerly Twitter, shared an unflattering image of Cha-ka alongside a photo of Alcock and asked, “And why does she look like this guy?”

Cain responded to the post with: “Dang it… I laughed,” followed by a smiling emoji.

The reaction immediately drew criticism, particularly from fans who argued the longtime “Superman” actor should have defended a fellow DC star rather than join in on the joke. “What a fantastic way to kill your legacy, @RealDeanCain,” one critic wrote. “And what a glorious way to lose the respect of millions of kids that looked up to you three decades ago. What a disgrace.”

Another fan claimed Cain’s behavior had permanently changed how they viewed his time as Superman. “Your Superman performance is never going to be looked back upon fondly, your bitter jealousy has tainted any legacy you had left,” another person wrote.

As criticism mounted, Cain later clarified that he “never said she was ugly,” though he appeared largely unfazed by the backlash surrounding the viral exchange.

Milly Alcock Previously Opened Up About Scrutiny Toward Women In Franchises

The backlash comes months after Alcock acknowledged she expected criticism ahead of the “Supergirl” release, particularly after her experience starring in HBO’s “House of the Dragon.” Speaking to Vanity Fair in April, Alcock reflected on the intense scrutiny women often face inside major fandoms.

“It definitely made me aware that simply existing as a woman in that space is something that people comment on,” she said. “We have become very comfortable having this weird ownership of women’s bodies. I can’t really stop them. I can only be myself.”

Her comments later sparked debate online, with some critics comparing Alcock to “Snow White” actress Rachel Zegler, another young star who found herself at the center of franchise backlash.

Rachel Zegler Also Faced Intense Scrutiny Over Appearance And Identity

Like Alcock, Zegler faced intense scrutiny while stepping into an iconic role, later admitting the criticism surrounding Disney’s 2025 live-action “Snow White” became deeply personal. Because of her Colombian heritage, Zegler faced aggressive pushback from critics who argued Snow White should be portrayed by a white actress.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, the actress admitted the reaction was difficult to process, especially because she had previously faced criticism while starring as Maria in 2021’s “West Side Story.” “I was told I wasn’t enough of one thing for ‘West Side Story’ and too much of another for ‘Snow White,’” Zegler shared.

The actress said the experience left her questioning how mixed-race performers are perceived in Hollywood and online spaces. “I grew up proud of being Colombian,” she said. “Eating the food, wearing the dresses, drinking the coffee, doing all the things that were so intrinsic to who I was as a kid and who I am as an adult.”

Still, Zegler admitted public reaction sometimes made her feel caught between identities. “I do think there’s an argument to be made that, in the public eye at least, when you’re two things, you’re simultaneously nothing,” she explained. “But I refuse to assimilate for anybody else’s comfort.”

For some fans, the criticism surrounding both Zegler and Alcock highlights a growing pattern of intense scrutiny aimed at young women stepping into iconic franchise roles.

‘Supergirl’ Already Faces An Uphill Battle At The Box Office

The Alcock-Cain controversy also arrives as anticipation builds for “Supergirl,” the second theatrical release in DC’s rebooted cinematic universe.

Alcock briefly appeared in last year’s “Superman,” which grossed more than $618 million worldwide and served as an introduction to her upcoming standalone film. However, early projections suggest “Supergirl” may struggle to match that momentum.

According to Deadline, the movie is currently tracking for a $55 million opening weekend, significantly below the $125 million debut of Superman last year. The outlet also reported the film carries an estimated production budget of roughly $175 million, excluding marketing costs.

James Gunn Also Addressed ‘Supergirl’ Criticism Head-On

As debate surrounding “Supergirl” continues online, director James Gunn has also found himself stepping in to address criticism tied to the film.

Gunn, whose 2025 “Superman” movie sparked backlash from some conservative viewers over its immigrant origin story, recently responded directly to online discussion surrounding Alcock’s appearance as Kara Zor-El.

After social media users questioned aspects of the character’s look, Gunn defended the creative choices behind the reboot while offering an in-universe explanation. “As explained in ‘Superman,’ the same way she gets drunk, she goes to a planet with a red sun. Not to mention, she was raised on a chunk of Krypton, so didn’t even experience superpowers until her teens,” Gunn wrote on Threads.

Despite the online criticism, “Supergirl” is still expected to be a major test for DC’s evolving cinematic future when it hits theaters later this month.

The Dean Cain Slammed After Cruel Comment About ‘Supergirl’ Star first appeared on The Blast