David Corenswet appeared to intervene after a photographer was seen putting his hands on his Supergirl co-star Milly Alcock during the film’s red carpet premiere.
Supergirl, DC Studios’ next theatrical release and the second big-screen film in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Universe, stars Alcock as Kara Zor-El alongside Corenswet, 32, who reprises his role as Superman/Clark Kent.
The Craig Gillespie-directed film is due to arrive in cinemas worldwide this Friday (June 26), with an international rollout beginning Wednesday (June 24) and a North American release on Thursday (June 26).
In footage circulating from the New York City world premiere, which was livestreamed by DC, a photographer appears to place his hands on Alcock’s back while trying to get a shot.
Corenswet quickly reacted, stepping away from a conversation he and Alcock were having with co-stars Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult.
The actor then moved between Alcock, 26, and the photographer, raising his hands as he addressed the man, though it is not clear exactly what he said.
David Corenswet steps in after a photographer puts their hands on Milly Alcock on the ‘SUPERGIRL’ carpet. pic.twitter.com/nttEH4qvX3
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 23, 2026
After the clip was shared on X by Discussing Film, many fans praised Corenswet’s response.
“That’s my superman,” one fan responded.
Another penned: “Okay, wasn’t a fan of his Superman, but David Corenswet just turned into a real life superhero there. Hats off to him, that was an honorable and gentlemanly move.”
“Do not touch actors, it’s that simple,” said a third.
Corenswet was cast as the new Superman in DC Studios’ rebooted slate and made his debut in Superman, which launched the new universe in 2025. Brosnahan was announced as Lois Lane opposite him, while Corenswet previously gained attention through his role in Netflix’s The Politician.
Alcock found major recognition in 2022 for playing young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon.
Her career, however, started earlier, with appearances in Australian productions such as Wonderland and Fighting Season during her teenage years.
She is now taking on the part of Kara Zor-El, Superman’s cousin. Even so, Alcock previously revealed that she had largely avoided superhero movies before landing the job.
The actor, who trained for two months for the role, told Variety she ‘hasn’t seen Marvel’s Black Widow or Captain Marvel – or even DC’s Wonder Woman.’
“Which is probably not great. I should probably expand my knowledge,” she laughed.
Director Craig Gillespie also told the publication that he purposely did not use the 1984 Supergirl movie, or other DC projects, as creative reference points.
“I didn’t [make those references], sort of out of fear of going down a road where I wouldn’t be as open as I could be creatively,” he said. “I wanted to create a world that came from character first.”