Henry Cavill replaced as Superman before James Gunn ever directed The Suicide Squad, according to recent insights from the filmmaker. The revelation adds complexity to the intertwined relationships and shifting strategies at Warner Bros., which began considering alternative actors for Superman even before Cavill’s departure was publicly known.
Studio’s Shift in Superman Casting Plans
The events commenced in 2018, when James Gunn parted ways with Disney after controversial old tweets resurfaced, sparking intense debate among fans and the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Warner Bros. quickly brought Gunn onboard, leading him to direct 2021’s The Suicide Squad and laying foundations for his future as co-CEO of DC Studios.
It has long been rumored that Warner Bros. initially extended an offer to Gunn to direct a Superman film prior to his work on The Suicide Squad. However, this proposed project was never intended as a sequel to Man of Steel, nor one involving Henry Cavill in the leading role. Instead, the studio was already entertaining the notion of finding a new actor to don Superman’s cape, and these talks took place before there was any official change in the character’s status.
Warner Bros. initially offered Gunn Superman prior to directing 2021’s The Suicide Squad, back in the previous era of DC storytelling. Even then, before plans were firmly in place, the studio wanted a new actor to play Superman after Cavill, ‘so it was even more messy than it is now,’ Gunn says. But more importantly, he adds, ‘I didn’t have that special idea of what that [film] would be.’
The studio’s early determination to cast someone other than Cavill aligns with reports that the actor had been quietly dismissed following his refusal to appear as Superman in a cameo for Shazam! in 2019, only adding to the messy handoff behind the scenes.
Attempts to Re-Establish Cavill and The Inevitable Change
In 2022, efforts by Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock, shifted the studio‘s approach. Johnson reportedly circumvented the usual hierarchy to secure Cavill’s return for a cameo in Black Adam. This intervention briefly set the stage for Cavill to reappear as Superman in The Flash and even led to talk of a possible new Man of Steel installment. However, these plans did not move forward. Once James Gunn took the helm at DC Studios, he decisively opted to recast Superman entirely, closing the book on Cavill’s time in the role.
James Gunn’s Vision for Superman
Gunn has spoken candidly about what distinguished his creative vision from previous Superman stories. He has described a desire to focus on the character’s intrinsic goodness, contrasting it with a cynical world, rather than prioritizing traditional superhero abilities.
Over the years, the stories that I’ve told have gotten more…how to say it…less in your face. I wanted to tell the story about someone who was truly good in a world that doesn’t value goodness, in a world that makes fun of basic kindness and basic human values.
The fact that he can fly and lift buildings and shoot laser beams out of his eyes was really secondary to who he was as a person and what he stood for,
These statements from Gunn underscore the human element he intends to bring to the character, focusing less on spectacle and more on Superman’s values and principles.
The Aftermath for Henry Cavill and the Superman Franchise
Henry Cavill’s exit from the Superman role was abrupt, and he acknowledged his disappointment with how Gunn’s leadership changed his trajectory. Even so, Cavill had a notable superhero cameo as The Cavillrine in Deadpool & Wolverine, giving fans a unique farewell.
Looking ahead, the Superman franchise will continue under James Gunn’s leadership, with the new film set for theatrical release on July 11, 2025. The changes highlight the evolving vision for DC’s most iconic hero and mark a significant shift in how the studio approaches its superhero stories.
