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Henry Cavill’s failed Superman return explained

After months of backlash, James Gunn explained why Henry Cavill won’t be returning as Superman.

Update:
After months of backlash, James Gunn explained why Henry Cavill won’t be returning as Superman.
Gunn: Getty Images; Superman: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

James Gunn has finally spoken out about the Henry Cavill Superman drama.

After making a cameo as the Man of Steel in ‘Black Adam’, fans started to suspect that Cavill would be coming back to the DC universe.

Back in October 2022, Cavill announced on his Instagram that he would be reprising his iconic role of Superman in an upcoming DC film.

“A very small taste of what’s to come, my friends. The dawn of hope renewed. Thank you for your patience, it will be rewarded. #Superman,” he captioned the video.

A few months later in December 2022, Cavill took to his Instagram once again to announce that Gunn and Peter Safran told him he would no longer be coming back as Superman.

“I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,” the post read. “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.”

During a press event on January 30, Gunn clarified that Cavill was not fired, but simply not hired for further Superman projects.

“We have [made decisions]. Some we don’t know,” he said. “All I can tell you right now is Henry and Ben are not a part of this universe.

“Also, important to say that Henry Cavill was not fired. Henry was just not hired to be Superman in the Superman movie. There was never a deal there for another movie.”

Cavill thanks fans for their constant support

While announcing the sad news that his return was canceled, the 39-year-old actor took the chance to thank his fans and supporters for standing by him, and remind them what Superman really means.

“For those who have been by my side through the years… we can mourn for a bit but then we must remember… Superman is still around,” Cavill wrote on Instagram.

“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.”

What’s next for the DC universe?

During the press event Gunn and Safran also announced the first 10 film and TV titles of the rebooted DC Universe.

Their goal is to release around two films and two TV series per year into the DCU. The current titles include films such as ‘Superman: Legacy’ which is set to release on July 11, 2025, ‘The Authority’, ‘The Brave and the Bold’, ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ and ‘Swamp Thing.’

In terms of TV series, the titles include ‘Creature Commandos’, ‘Waller’, ‘Lanterns’, ‘Paradise Lost’ and ‘Booster Gold.’