Despite dying and resurrecting in the DC Extended Universe, it looks like Henry Cavill is hanging up his cape as Superman.
This news surfaced after it was announced that negotiations for Cavill to appear in next year’s “Shazam!” had failed with Warner Bros. Pictures. As of now, the 35-year-old English actor isn’t to any Warner Bros. movies as Superman.
Cavill was reportedly unable to commit to “Shazam!” because of scheduling conflicts. As a result, Warners has decided to part ways the British actor. This had allowed him to sign on to a Netflix project, namely “The Witcher” fantasy series.
“Shazam!” executive producer Dany Garcia posted a cryptic statement on her Twitter, seemingly addressing Cavill’s exit. “Be peaceful, the cape is still in his closet. @wbpictures has been and continues to be our partners as they evolve the DC Universe. Anticipate a WB statement later today,” she wrote.
True enough, Warners released a statement, saying, “While no decisions have been made regarding any upcoming ‘Superman’ films, we’ve always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged.” They neither confirm nor deny the news of Cavill’s ouster.
https://twitter.com/DanyGarciaCo/status/1039902939261808640
Word on the street has it that the studio may want to focus on a Supergirl origin story film instead. With the teenage heroin in the spotlight, Superman would no longer be required. “If we had to bet on an outcome, however, a creative reset seems most likely,” Entertainment Weekly commented.
With Cavill stepping down, Deadline reported that his replacement could come in the form of Michael B. Jordan. Warner Bros is apparently considering a “completely different direction” that will include a broader diversity and inclusivity initiative. The African American star played baddie Killmonger in the recent “Black Panther”.
The “Creed” actor is no stranger to comic book characters though. Besides Kilmonger, he has also played the Human Torch (in 20th Century Fox’s “Fantastic Four”). Earlier, it was announced that Warner Bros was eyeing Michael B. Jordan to play a young Morpheus in a new “Matrix” movie.
That said, Cavill has portrayed Superman in 2013’s “Man of Steel”, 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and 2017’s “Justice League“. It’ll be hard to top his performance.
Sources: Coming Soon, Entertainment Weekly, AMP.
