With DC having a complete reboot after James Gunn took over, many radical changes within the franchise have taken place in an effort to give it a facelift. One of the biggest and most shocking decisions was the ousting of Henry Cavill as Superman which led to a social media furore. Gunn though, looks to be unperturbed by his decision and has since gone on to cast David Corenswet as the new Superman for his debut directorial for the rebooted DCU, Superman: Legacy.
Prior to James Gunn’s entry into the DC world, Henry Cavill and Zack Snyder were touted to join forces once again to do Man of Steel 2, after their successful collaboration in 2013’s Man of Steel. This film which would have been Cavill’s 2nd standalone project as Superman was touted to tackle some very important plot lines in the DC universe, but unfortunately will not see the light of day.
Also Read: 3 Multi-Billion Dollar Franchises Who Rejected Henry Cavill Including DC’s Superman Franchise
Henry Cavill’s Man Of Steel 2– What It Could Have Been
DC’s new look under James Gunn and Peter Safran has ensured that the promising partnership between Henry Cavill and Zack Snyder will no longer develop. The actor-director duo was all set to take the Superman narrative further with the second standalone film featuring the Kryptonian, Man Of Steel 2. While information about this now-canceled project is scarce, a few tidbits from sources indicate that the film was set to tackle some exciting events from the Universe. The project was to have been written by Peaky Blinders writer Travis Knight.
For starters, Superman was touted to go up against one of his greatest and deadliest foes, Brainiac, a megalomaniacal robotic genius who goes around the universe stealing knowledge and whole cities while adding them all to his collection. More significantly, Snyder was expected to set up the Crisis of Infinite Earths events in which Henry Cavill’s Superman would collaborate with DC superheroes from different universes in what would have been an iconic and memorable crossover as depicted in the DC comics of 2005-2006. While this was seen in the DC television crossovers, unfortunately, it was not to be on the big screen for Cavill and Snyder.
What Is Henry Cavill’s Future In DC?
While fans lamented Henry Cavill’s shocking departure as Superman following James Gunn’s appointment as DC head, there was still an inkling of hope that the Man of Steel star might get back to the franchise in the future. But this wish has now vanished completely with Gunn and DC pushing forth to cast David Corenswet as the new Superman for Superman: Legacy. Cavill himself has faced reality about his situation with his dignified response to his ousting and said,
“The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.”
With James Gunn, Warner Brothers, and DC having already taken the next step to recreate Superman with another actor, fans’ hopes of seeing Henry Cavill back in the iconic superhero role have been dashed permanently. But with the Guardians of the Galaxy director having been quoted saying that he looks forward to possibilities of working with Cavill in the future, it remains to be seen if the Justice League star could appear in the franchise as another character.
Source: The Direct