Henry Cavill has been fired from his role as Superman in the DC Universe. Cavill took to Instagram to announce the news, writing, “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.” This news comes just under two months after Cavill announced he would return as the Man of Steel. Cavill explains that this new development occurred after a meeting with filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran. Gunn took to Twitter to explain that there is a new DC slate in the works, and one project on the slate is a film about Superman’s younger years:
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.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
Henry Cavill’s Anticipated Return as Superman is Canceled
After his recent return as Superman in Black Adam’s end-credits scene and after he departed from The Witcher, fans were ecstatic that Henry Cavill was making his return as Superman. Many felt his departure from the DCEU was unfair to the actor. Even Black Adam star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson expressed aggravation with Cavill being “inexplicably and inexcusably” pushed out by Warner Bros. While fans felt that justice was being done, Cavill’s return as Superman is no longer to be.
Cavill wrote in his Instagram post, “Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there! My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It’s been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards.”
Cavill remains a thriving and sought-out actor, and he will likely bounce back from this. Many fans, hot on the heels of this news, are hoping this will open the door for him to be the next James Bond.
Henry Cavill’s future as Superman in the DC Universe seems to be done, and he may not be the only one. Warner Bros. Discovery also scrapped plans for Wonder Woman 3 as they seek to reboot the DCEU. This could mean the end of Gal Gadot’s future in the DC Universe.