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James Gunn says Henry Cavill is out as Superman in the DCEU

By Mark Lynch

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Superman costume from the 2013 Man of Steel film worn by Henry Cavill and designed by Michael Wilkinson and James Acheson is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Superman costume from the 2013 Man of Steel film worn by Henry Cavill and designed by Michael Wilkinson and James Acheson is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) /
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James Gunn announced that Henry Cavill won’t be Superman going forward. Thankfully, it isn’t all bad news for fans of DC Comics. 

Say what you will about DC Comics, their casting in the DCEU has been superb. Among the amazing selections was Henry Cavill. Man Of Steel started the franchise and it seemed like Cavill was going to be the driving force behind the DCEU.  Then, things were up in the air.

Would he come back and play Superman? Fans thought they had the answer after Cavill appeared in Black Adam. People watching rejoiced, because not only was Cavill back, he’d also be fighting Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam. Well, that excitement was squashed.

James Gunn tweeted that Henry Cavill will not return as Superman as the new DCU will make a new Superman movie focusing on the Man of Steel’s younger days.

As disappointing as this news is, people are focusing on the negative. Considering the news, it’s not shocking. Although within this sad news, there’s something positive that came from the string of tweets. Chief among them is the focus on a future Superman project, which James Gunn is writing, that would look at his younger years.

We all know the story. The last son of Krypton landed on Earth after his planet exploded. He was raised in Smallville where he learned the morals that made him the universe’s greatest hero. Almost every story featuring Clark Kent showed this. It doesn’t need to be seen again. Instead, skipping most of that will save time.

It’s also a formula that’s shown to work. Marvel Studios did it with Spider-Man. There’s no reason it can’t succeed here. Plus, a younger Superman/Clark Kent means the actor playing him can be the Man of Steel for longer. It worked in Smallville. A good idea could be worth repeating.

Superman, Zack Snyder's Justice League, DCEU, Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill (Superman / Clark Kent) in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Photograph by Courtesy of HBO Max /

It would be a lie to say that the news that Henry Cavill isn’t returning as Superman isn’t discouraging. DC and Warner Bros. would have to cast a new Man of Steel at some point. Nevertheless, the tease in Black Adam not happening will crush fans. Not only that, but it also puts future DC Comics projects in Jeopardy. Among them is the aforementioned Black Adam. If the creative team behind the sequel planned on Cavill vs Dwayne Johnson, then rewrites are coming. Depending on what they are, Warner Bros Media may not think it’s good enough to be made.

Cavill appears to be heartbroken by the news. In an Instagram post, he said:

"“It’s sad news, everyone. 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.”"

He isn’t the only one taking this news hard. Fans all over social media are voicing their frustration. However, like Cavill left fans with something inspirational, there is hope: “Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there.”

Next. James Gunn says Superman is a huge priority for the DCEU. dark

What do you think, readers? Are you disappointed that Henry Cavill won’t be coming back as Superman? Let us know in the comments below.

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