Despite reports that Henry Cavill will not be playing Superman, there have been no official statements from either Cavill or Warner Bros’ affirming these rumours. Fans have been in limbo wondering whether Cavill will continue as the character.
Recently a Youtuber, Robert Roecken, bumped into Cavill at Comic-Con. Allegedly speaking to Cavill at the event, the fan tweeted afterwards that Cavill “still wants to play Superman. Wants a sequel to Man of Steel. Wants to explore how it affects someone with absolute power. So many stories to tell, what makes him tick?”
The tweet has not been corroborated but Cavill in a 2018 CinemaCon interview was asked what the status on a new Superman film was. He answered that he still has a “desire” to make Man of Steel II and that he is in talks behind the scenes. He stated further that, “…there is a whole bunch of Superman stories I want to tell. There’s a whole style of Superman’s character that I am very keen to tell and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
Cavill is obviously eager to resume the role but under the right creative conditions. The disarray at Warner Bros’ seems to be stalling any further Man of Steel films. Cavill must be frustrated at the delay but hasn’t divulged anything official recently.
We can speculate that Warner’s new $500 million deal with J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot production company has something to do with the hold up. Is the studio hoping Abrams will take the helm and lead the DCEU?
The upcoming Flash film, also beset with production problems, is rumoured to be using the Flashpoint Paradox storyline. Could this be the solution to the problems in the DCEU? The alternate realities in that storyline could accommodate different versions of the same characters, thus accommodating Cavill’s Superman alongside other versions of DC characters.
Adding credence to this theory is Robert Pattinson’s casting as a younger Batman in Matt Reeves’ 2021 The Batman film. It’s hard to picture Pattinson’s Batman alongside Cavill’s Superman. Similarly, Pattinson next to Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman seems implausible.
It goes without saying that Cavill is a good Superman, but the character needs a film that will better bridge the gulf between Donner’s 1970s Superman II and the new version of Superman. The disaster that was Justice League (2017) incorporated a lighter version of the caped crusader, harkening back to the old days. It was enjoyable and satisfying seeing Cavill play the other side of Superman, aspects of him that were not focused on in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. The rotten character development and cheap storyline in Justice League overshadowed the few positives of the film. Justice League also never answers the question of Clark Kent’s resurrection from the dead. Cavill has said that a future film would address the topic, adding greater expectation for a future Superman film.
The first Man of Steel explored Superman’s origins. It would therefore be inexplicable for Warner Bros to scrap all ties with Cavill and reset the franchise. It makes more sense for Warner Bros to keep Cavill than to upturn everything and gamble on someone else. Perhaps Warner is simply waiting for a better script and the right director.
For the DCEU to move forward there must be a Man of Steel sequel. Superman is still a cultural icon despite cynicism toward the character. Whoever directs the next film must take the foundations laid by Zack Snyder and build on it. Incorporating a more self-assured Superman, less brooding and unsure of himself. The future director would have to show audiences that Superman still matters more than ever. Reminding us why his good nature, his virtue, can inspire as it did in the past.
For now, fans will have to wait patiently, hoping that the next slate of releases are a success. Hopefully giving the studio enough confidence to move forward with a sequel. Let’s hope Cavill perseveres and the studio does the right thing and keeps him as Superman.
It’s been nearly a year since WB claimed they haven’t made any decisions on Cavill as Superman. Remarkable. What you knobs need ANOTHER year to figure out that DC Films should do the obvious and get Cavill back as Superman, preferably by a DIRECTOR WHO GETS THE CHARACTER AND ACTUALLY KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE DOING?
Thing is a movie can’t be made around an actor, and no actor is bigger than the character.
The world needs Superman!!!! Let’s just do it!!!!!
Henry Cavill is the best superman actor.
Please let him keep on been our man of steel. I enjoy every part of he’s Superman play role. He should continue acting man of steel and also Superman.
For Cavill to continue playing Superman organically you need a new film made right now otherwise a new movie wouldn’t be a straight sequel. In a few years it would be time for a new Superman actor, Amy Adams would be too old to carry on playing Lois Lane.
I think Cavill needed more than one solo film in the first place to create a lasting impression.
I just hope that the studio that makes the movie knows what direction to go in with the movie and doesn’t rush like they have done in the past. Then the fans are the ones that suffer witch makes poor box office sales.
It’s too late to do MOS 2 it need to be made in 2015 or 16 instead of BVS. In the a few in the 2020’s Cavill and Adams would be too old to carry on, it’s not like they’re irreplaceable Superman is bigger than the actor.
I would think most of us would rather see a MOS 2 with Cavill before half the other movies already in the lineup.
I’m not sold on the Joker stand alone and I’d rather have a Cavill MOS2 before Suicide Squad or Birds of Pray. They could do a MOS2 that introduces Super Girl in the last quarter + a Darkside and the Green Lantern Corp cliff hanger.
Now that could be awesome!
Henry Cavill is by far the best Superman full stop. If they replace him I will completely write off any new Superman movies/series.
Different actors can work like with Bond or Jack Ryan.
Indeed
It’s kind of hilarious that comic nerds have decided to rewrite history and pretend that Justice League was the movie that crashed the DCU. The finished product of Justice League was an attempt to avert another Batman Vs Superman disaster–reports about Zak Snyder’s early cut of Justice League were that it was completely unwatchable and actually worse than Batman Vs Superman had been.
WB stop being an asshole, let Henry Cavill do his job
Henry Cavill is the best superman actor.
Please let him.keep on been our man of steel. I enjoy every part of he’s Superman play role. He should continue acting man of steel and also Superman.
See different actors can work like with Bond or Jack Ryan.
Let stop playing around let cavil do the superman movie. As for the justice league 2 you got to have a better story line up messing it up look at the marvels movies great story line the film made made money the avengers. DC comics must come out with better stories lines and better film performances and directors.
I’m down for Man of Steel 2!
Yes, the world needs more standalone MOS movies. WB just do it! Henry Cavill the is the best Superman. Get JJ Abrams.