
Warner Bros/Netflix
Just over a month ago, Henry Cavill made his triumphant return as Superman by appearing in a Black Adam post-credit scene and officially addressing his renewed future as the Man of Steel on Instagram with a heartfelt video message to his fans.
Now, just about six weeks later, Cavill’s Supermanissance is already over as both he and new DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn have announced that the next Superman film will feature a different actor as Clark Kent.
James Gunn will write the new #Superman film ✍️
Henry Cavill will not return but DC Studios has spoken to him about collaborating on something else
(via @jamesgunn) pic.twitter.com/xMQNsf5PEp
— Post Cred Pod (@PostCredPod) December 15, 2022
Henry Cavill releases a statement confirming he will not return as #Superman
Warner Bros. told him to announce his return as the Man of Steel just a month prior pic.twitter.com/gdufE75EuL
— Post Cred Pod (@PostCredPod) December 15, 2022
Gunn also noted that he and fellow DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran are fans of Cavill’s and spoke about working together on another project.
The move, while likely the correct one in terms of the long-term success of the DCU (there is simply too much general audience baggage when it comes to Cavill’s iteration at this point), was stunning nonetheless, particularly considering that Cavill left his A-list role as Geralt on the hit Netflix series The Witcher basically in tandem with his “return” as Superman.
Due to all of this, movie fans obviously felt for Cavill, who has been nothing but a professional throughout the decade-long chaos at Warner Bros/DC that has marred his time as Superman.
Liam Hemsworth showing up on The Witcher S4 set pic.twitter.com/cfDqydZFtQ
— Parris (@vicious696) December 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/bettyarchs/status/1603219330585468932
Wait so Henry Cavill quit the Witcher show that was basically the Henry Cavill Show in order to act in the new Superman movie but didn't actually get a commitment from the Superman movie people & now theyre not casting him woow anyway heres an agent with an opening for new client
— Shiv Ramdas Buk Riter (@nameshiv) December 15, 2022
I feel legitimately terrible for Henry Cavill. The dude leaves The Witcher after they butcher the source material, DC tells him he's finally back as Superman after YEARS of wanting to come back. Then gets this news a few months later. Just awful.
— Ryan Kinel – RK Outpost (@KinelRyan) December 15, 2022
Henry Cavil waking up Liam Hemsworth for The Witcher, now that he’s unemployed. pic.twitter.com/KC4Mtmcggk
— Dread Head Velaryon 🇭🇹 (@ohthats__jayy) December 15, 2022
I think my exes treated me bad until I see Henry Cavill…
He dates WB. Then they ghost him, but he continues to speak kindly about them to everyone. Finally they call & want him back, but he has to leave his other lover (The Witcher). He leaves, and then his ex says, my bad nvm.
— Roxy Striar (@roxystriar) December 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/ctrlvcrs/status/1603214591772823553
Henry Cavill loved The Witcher but he clearly wanted the studio to respect the book material and it must have disappointed him to see them mock it. He ended up eventually leaving it behind for Superman only for DC to drop him again within 2 months.
This man deserved better. pic.twitter.com/rkEr2uFTV4
— Maku (@TropicalMaku) December 15, 2022
he really quit the witcher for no reason ouu pic.twitter.com/VqzA0ExjPW
— ceo of kory (@korysverse) December 15, 2022
Henry Cavill left the Witcher for Superman now he's not even gonna be superman and we are stuck with Liam Hemsworth?? pic.twitter.com/F6bnktf3al
— ashton 👻 (@CloudedAshes) December 15, 2022
Are you telling me Henry Cavil dropped The Witcher to come back as Superman only to be dropped as Superman?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/MGPuOXsUOQ
— Leonardo 🏹 (@SuperSpider2001) December 8, 2022
Personally, while I’m completely fine with both Cavill staying and going as the Last Son of Krypton, the fact that Warner Bros. not only had him return and officially address it but basically ran a subliminal marketing campaign around said return, only to fire him 6 weeks later, is so hilariously stupid.
Ultimately though, this is why Gunn and Safran are justifiably doing what they’re doing and trying to start anew. The fact that the franchise was mismanaged to such an extent that such a key and now fugazi character/casting announcement was made during such a tumultuous transitional period is starling incompetence.
As Gunn noted in his Twitter thread, the Superman movie that he is writing will not be an origin story and will center on Clark Kent’s early days in Metropolis. While the Guardians of the Galaxy filmmaker indicated that he’s not currently planning on directing the film, he didn’t rule it out, either.
Luckily for the 39-year-old Cavill, his career will be just fine. He recently starred as Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes 2 alongside Millie Bobby Brown and is set to star in Argylle, the upcoming star-studded film (and potential franchise) helmed by Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn. He’s also been attached to a Highlander reboot from John Wick director Chad Stahelski.
Plus, I’m sure if Cavill wanted to return to The Witcher, Netflix would welcome him back with open arms, as the series is one of the biggest they’ve ever made. Ye’ ole “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There’s also the Marvel, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter franchises lurking out there, who would all be thrilled to add a movie star of Cavill’s quality to their rost.