Despite being given the greenlight by the previous DC movies regime to announce his return to the role of Superman, Henry Cavill has now been handed something else that is green in regards to the role: green Kryptonite, as incoming DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has, via twitter, announced that Cavill won't now be back.
It's part of a twitter thread by the writer/director, who took over running the newly named DC Studios (Warner Bros.) at the start of November alongside producer Peter Safran, looking to make sure their side of things comes through as stories start to propagate about potential plans and the legacy actors/filmmakers who may no longer be involved (such as Wonder Woman's Patty Jenkins, who addressed her own departure.)
“Peter and 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 writes. “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.” It won’t, according to Gunn, be an origin story, though. And he did mention that he still wants to work with the actor going forward, just not as Supes.
Gunn has been working on the script, and the duo are looking for a director. And talking of, they've also been meeting with Ben Affleck – not about this, but because he's interested in directing something from the new DC slate.
For his part, Cavill shared his disappointment at the news, taking to Instagram to write about it.
“I just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran, and it’s sad news, everyone,” the actor posted. “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 the happiest of fortunes."
We can expect more changes as Gunn and Safran but their plans in place and start to announce their new slate. But right now, it's not looking great for established DCEU filmmakers…
