James Gunn admits Henry Cavill was “dicked around” during Superman fiasco

James Gunn and Peter Safran are the new co-CEOs of DC Studios, and the other day they finally revealed what is in store for the DC Universe going forward.

We’re going to be getting a Lanterns series on HBO, a Batman movie called The Brave and the Bold, and a Superman movie that stars someone other than Henry Cavill, amongst other projects. I’m excited about the Waller series especially because it is going to be a Peacemaker spin-off!

And while we’re excited about what’s to come, Henry Cavill remains a sore subject. He played Superman for three movies and had a cameo in a fourth before seemingly being booted out of the DCU. Why was he forced out? Why did he announce he was coming back only to have that taken away from him?

James Gunn addresses Henry Cavill’s “exit”

Towards the end of last year, Cavill appeared as Superman in Black Adam, teasing that he would be returning as the Man of Steel. Fans were ecstatic over the prospect of Cavill’s return. It seemed like a sure-fire thing, especially since he left his role as Geralt of Rivia on Netflix’s The Witcher.

However, when Gunn and Safran took over and began making plans for the DCEU, things changed. They never had plans to bring Cavill back and were in a weird position to figure out how to handle the situation. “I like Henry. He’s a great guy,” Gunn said. “I think he’s gotten dicked around by a lot of people, including former regimes at this company. But this Superman’s not Henry for a number of reasons.”

Gunn is currently working on a new movie called Superman: Legacy. This movie will not star Cavill; instead, Gunn will cast someone younger to play Superman.

“To me, first of all, we didn’t fire Henry,” Gunn said. “Henry was never cast. Henry was in a cameo [in Black Adam] and that was the end of his story. A lot of people made assumptions out of that that weren’t necessarily true. But for me, it’s about who do I want to cast as Superman and who does the filmmakers who are making the movie want to cast, and for me for this story, it isn’t Henry.”

That seems like an awkward and uncomfortable situation all around, and a lot of miscommunication. I feel for Cavill, I really do. Luckily, this is Henry Cavill we are talking about, and while he won’t be donning Superman’s cape anytime soon, I’m sure there will be no shortage of roles coming his way.

What is Superman: Legacy about?

“This is really the start of the DCU,” Safran said of Superman: Legacy. “It’s currently being written by James and I sincerely hope that he can be persuaded, perhaps, to direct it as well.”

"It is not an origin story, it focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of Truth, Justice and the American Way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned."

I’m super bummed that Henry Cavill isn’t reprising his role, but I do look forward to this new chapter for Superman. It may not be what we were hoping for but I do trust Gunn and his vision. He has not steered us wrong with his former projects so I am going to offer grace for what’s coming next at the DCEU.

The Superman reboot is set to release tentatively on July 11, 2025.

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h/t The Wrap