Credit: Inside the MagicThe new DCU is already here, with this year’s Superman (2025) having kicked things off theatrically when it hit theaters during the summer. Written and directed by DC Studios’ co-chairman and co-CEO James Gunn (the other half being Peter Safran) and starring David Corenswet in the title role, Superman marks the start of a brand-new continuity of films.
The New DCU Is Off to a Rocky Start
Corenswet also essentially replaces Henry Cavill, who played the iconic superhero in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), and Black Adam (2022), all of which form part of the old DCEU, which itself has been replaced by Gunn and Safran’s new DCU.
But the DCU has gotten off to a shaky start, from Superman‘s mixed reviews to its somewhat underwhelming box-office run ($616M worldwide against its estimated $$225M budget), and a lot of confusion around what’s canon as a result of Gunn cherry-picking characters and content from the DCEU, to the newly launched universe already failing to understand its target audience with the animated show Creature Commandos and Peacemaker Season 2 being heavily geared towards adults.
Now, longtime DC fans are already starting to feel frustrated and disappointed with Gunn and Safran’s seemingly disjointed vision for the franchise.
It has now also been reported that Warner Bros. Discovery is receiving unsolicited acquisition offers from third parties (per Variety), leading fans to speculate that Gunn could be out, taking the DCU with him before it’s even had a proper chance to get off the ground.
Related: James Gunn’s DCU Falls Apart as Zack Snyder Confirms That Henry Cavill Is Still Superman
Henry Cavill’s Rumored Return as Superman
Then there are the Henry Cavill rumors.
Recently, Zack Snyder posted a photograph of the Man of Steel actor as Superman to his Instagram, captioned with the words, “Henry Cavill is Superman”, which sent DC fans into theory-overdrive, with many wondering whether there are plans for the actor to return.
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But now that the director has since posted similar photos of Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke and Ben Affleck’s Batman — both also from the DCEU — it’s obvious he’s just showing off his solid photography skills and nothing more.
David Corenswet’s Superman Removed
Now, in another interesting development, a photo shared by a fan at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood (via The Direct) shows that David Corenswet’s Superman costume has been removed from public display on the Superman Exhibit.
X (Twitter) user @outergrace shared an image of the exhibit, which also features costumes used in the latest film, including those worn by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), and Clark Kent (Corenswet). But Corenswet’s alter-ego is missing, with a placard in its place that reads: “Superman costume currently being used by production.”
GUYS look what i saw at warner bros yesterday pic.twitter.com/Uy1tyiRQ9N
— grace °•° (@outergrace) October 25, 2025
The DCU Is Moving Ahead Despite Troubles
There’s one upcoming DCU project where Corenswet’s Superman is very likely to appear: Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which hits theaters next year and stars Milly Alcock as the lead (she made a brief appearance at the end of this year’s Superman). Corenswet will also be returning in the sequel Superman: Man of Tomorrow, which is confirmed for 2027.
Despite the DCU’s rocky start, it’s clear that the new shared universe is still moving ahead, even if it does also remain to be seen what happens with Warner Bros. Discovery, and with it, James Gunn. For those hoping to see Cavill dethrone Corenswet, for now, it looks like the latter actor isn’t going anywhere. Of course, this doesn’t rule out Cavill’s return entirely — this is a superhero franchise after all, and where there’s a Multiverse, there’s always a way.
What do you think of David Corenswet as Superman? Would you prefer to see Henry Cavill return, or both actors simultaneously play the Man of Steel? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section down below!