Times are changing at DC
Henry Cavill has been removed from his role as Superman just two months after announcing his return as the Man of Steel, amid a massive shake-up at Warner Bros.’ DC Films.
In October, Cavill announced that he was returning as the Man of Steel, announcing the news in a video on social media.
This came after the British actor made a a cameo appearance as Superman at the end of Warner Bros. Black Adam, teasing a showdown between Superman and Dwayne Johnson‘s anti-hero.
But the actor himself has now revealed that his time as the superhero is officially over, after he had a conversation with James Gunn and Peter Safran, the new heads of DC Films.
In a post on Instagram, the 39-year-old wrote: “I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman.
“After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life.
“The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build.”
“I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and happiest of fortunes,” he added.
The actor went on to thank “those who have been by my side through the years,” adding, “we can mourn for a bit,” before addressing the future of the franchise.
“We must remember…. Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there!’ Cavill said.
Shortly after Cavill’s statement on Instagram, DC Films head James Gunn took to Twitter to elaborate on the future of the Man of Steel.
“Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year,” Gunn began.
Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
“Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill,” Gunn clarified.
He added: “But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.”
But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
Gunn also answered some questions from stunned fans in the replies of his Twitter thread, confirming that a new Superman movie was in the works.
He also revealed that he will be writing the new film but doesn’t yet know who will be directing it, although he did say that conversations had been held with Ben Affleck over him directing a film.
I am writing (and have been for a while). We don’t know who is directing yet. https://t.co/RPwtAsUgZP
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
Met with Ben yesterday precisely because he wants to direct & we want him to direct; we just have to find the right project. https://t.co/Haz1APdlVN
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
Cavill’s first appearance as Superman was in 2013’s Man of Steel, which lead into the much-maligned films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.
Cavill also returned to reshoot scenes for HBO Max’s Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which debuted on the streaming service in 2021.
