Filmmaker James Gunn has big plans for the future of the DC Comics universe, and they don’t appear to include Henry Cavill reprising his role as Superman.
Gunn made the announcement on Twitter, stating that he and film producer Peter Safran, who co-head Warner Bros. and Discovery’s DC Comics universe of films and TV series, have decided that the next Superman film will focus on an earlier period in Clark Kent’s life, rendering Cavill unsuitable for the role.
“… (W)e just had a great meeting with Henry, and we’re big fans, and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities for future collaboration,” Gunn wrote on Twitter.
In the same Twitter thread, Gunn stated that he met with actor and former Batman Ben Affleck and is interested in allowing him to direct a DC film, but they “need to find the right project.”
Cavill also confirmed the news on Instagram, writing, “the news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life.” “James and Peter are creating a universe,” Cavill wrote. “I wish them and everyone else involved in the new universe the best of luck and the best of fortunes.”
Cavill was originally set to reprise his role as Superman, but Gunn and Safran were announced as the new heads of the DC universe in October, and they have since decided to steer the iconic film franchise in a different direction.
This is not Cavill’s first major role loss in recent months. Cavill announced in October that he would be leaving his lead role in Netflix’s “The Witcher” after season 3. Liam Hemsworth, another actor, will take his place.
In addition to writing the upcoming Superman film, Gunn will release “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” which he returned to direct after being fired briefly after directing Vols. 1 and 2.
He’s also appeared in DC films like “Justice League” and “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.”
In addition to directing Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” film series, Gunn directed and wrote the DC film “The Suicide Squad” and created and wrote the HBO Max series “Peacemaker.”
The release date for the upcoming Superman film has not yet been announced. The release date for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is set for May 5, 2023.
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