Henry Cavill exits Superman role as DC focus on an “earlier part of Superman’s life”
Henry Cavill won’t be playing Superman in any further DC movies as the studio focus on stories from earlier in the life of The Man of Steel, despite it being announced just a few months ago that he would continue in the role.
“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,” Cavill wrote in an Instagram post.
He added: “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.”
However, Cavill said that he accepted the decision and appeared ready to move on.
“The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that,” he added in his social media post. “James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.”
Cavill, 39, the British actor known to many for his role in SHOWTIME series The Tudors and more recently in Netflix’s The Witcher fantasy drama, has played Superman in a number of DC movies including the 2013 Man Of Steel, 2016’s Batman v Superman and in Justice League.
He was most recently seen in a surprise appearance in the post-credits scene of Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam movie. Shortly after that, he put out a social media post with a video that confirmed his return as Superman and said that the appearance was “a very small taste of things to come.”
James Gunn and Peter Safran took over creative control at DC studios recently, and Gunn confirmed the exit of Cavill in a Twitter thread. He said that there was exciting information about the new slate coming at the “beginning of the new year” and that Henry Cavill would not be playing Superman because the new story will concentrate on “an earlier part of Superman’s life.”
He also said that they had had a great meeting with Henry Cavill and they had talked about “a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.”
Cavill’s exit from the Superman role will only fuel speculation among fans that he may be about to be announced as the next James Bond.
Since Daniel Craig was announced to be leaving 007 duty after five movies, Cavill has been regularly linked to the open vacancy in the franchise and remains one of the favourites amongst bookmakers.
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