6
Credit: Warner Bros. / DCIt was never supposed to be this complicated.
On paper, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios reboot was meant to mark a clean start, a definitive new chapter for the DC Universe. But as the months roll on, what was promised as a clear vision has grown tangled in confusion, creative contradictions, and an unexpected blast from the past courtesy of Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill.
In late 2022, Henry Cavill took to social media to announce that he would not, after all, be returning as Superman. The revelation came just weeks after reports and even studio-backed statements suggested he was set to don the cape once more–the actor, after all, made a shocking return in the post-credits scene of Black Adam (2022).
Gunn later explained the situation during an interview, saying he and Safran were still finalizing their DC Studios deal when those announcements were made.
According to Gunn, “It’s terrible … the day our deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back … the plan was to come in and do a new Superman.” He added that Cavill handled the awkward situation with grace, asking only that he be allowed to tell fans himself rather than have it announced for him.
In subsequent interviews, Gunn clarified further, insisting that Cavill wasn’t “fired” so much as never cast in the new continuity. “For me, the right story and the filmmakers we have for that story—it isn’t Henry,” he said, making it clear that the new Superman film would be led by a younger actor.
That film, 2025’s Superman starring David Corenswet, became the first live-action entry in the new DC Universe, following the animated series Creature Commandos. Next up will be Supergirl (2026), starring House of the Dragon breakout Milly Alcock.
Despite that clear break, speculation about Cavill’s Superman hasn’t disappeared. Zack Snyder recently shared a black-and-white photo of Cavill in costume with the caption “Henry Cavill is Superman.”
The post immediately reignited fan debate, with some interpreting it as a signal that Cavill might return in some capacity or that Snyder’s version of the universe could be revived independently of Gunn’s new continuity.
Not long after that, Netflix shared a promotional image of Cavill’s Superman and Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam, sparking more debate. Now, Zack Snyder himself is once again stoking the flames of Cavill’s desired return as Kal-El with a NEW social media post.
Sharing to Instagram, a platform the director has only been on for a short amount of time, Snyder posted a new image of Henry Cavill’s Superman, with the cryptic caption: “Henry in his natural setting.” Once again, Snyder’s post has ignited the part of the fandom that wants Cavill to return as Superman.
From comments like “the one and only” and “this is the Superman of our generation,” it’s clear that the movement to reinstate Henry Cavill is not going anywhere.
All of this unfolds against the backdrop of a franchise struggling to steady itself. The DCEU, launched by Snyder in 2013 with Man of Steel, had a promising start. The film earned more than $670 million worldwide and introduced Cavill as a stoic yet grounded Superman.
Its sequel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, was financially successful but critically divisive, and 2017’s Justice League became a flashpoint for controversy following Snyder’s exit and a drastically altered theatrical cut.
Although the later release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) on HBO Max restored much of his original vision, by then the DCEU’s brand had fractured, and Warner Bros. Discovery opted to start over with Gunn and Safran at the helm.
The first DCU entry, Superman (2025), grossed around $616 million on a $225 million budget. Early fans have already expressed frustration about inconsistencies and unclear continuity decisions, with some characters and storylines carrying over while others were abandoned.
The result is a cinematic universe that, to some, already feels muddled before it has even found its footing. Gunn has continued to explain what is and isn’t canon, adding to the confusion.
Meanwhile, Henry Cavill hasn’t slowed down since stepping away from the DCEU. After his final turn as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher, Cavill has shifted toward new high-profile projects. He starred in Matthew Vaughn’s spy comedy Argylle in 2024 and re-teamed with Guy Ritchie for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a World War II action film.
Another collaboration with Ritchie, titled In the Grey, is on the way, pairing Cavill with Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González. Beyond acting, Cavill has taken on roles with Amazon’s upcoming Warhammer 40,000 universe, a lifelong dream project that combines his passion for the iconic tabletop franchise with his growing influence behind the camera.
Taken together, Cavill’s post-Superman career reflects a deliberate pivot. Rather than chasing more superhero roles, he’s building a diverse portfolio that spans fantasy, espionage, and franchise development. Still, his shadow over the Superman mantle remains strong.
Whether Snyder’s recent social media gesture was a nostalgic tribute or a hint of something more, the message resonates: for many fans, Henry Cavill is still Superman—and the question of whether the new DCU can truly move on without him continues to loom large. While Gunn and Safran’s DCU trembles from criticism, the continued celebration of the Snyderverse is not helping Warner Bros.’ burgeoning franchise.
How do you feel about the pursuit to bring Henry Cavill’s Superman back? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!