James Gunn, director of the new Superman film, has expressed remorse over the way DC Studios shafted Henry Cavill in favour of relatively unknown newcomer David Corenswet for the 2025 movie.
Speaking to Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gunn has revealed what went down behind the scenes that saw Cavill announce his return as Superman, only to be ditched two months later.
You see, before James Gunn and studio executive Peter Safran were at the helm of DC Studios, Cavill was told by the former big dogs that he would be reprising the beloved character. Cavill last played DC’s Superman in 2017’s Justice League, and in the years since, he’d been surrounded by speculation that he’d play Superman in any upcoming offerings from the franchise.
In 2022, Cavill even announced that he was officially donning the cape again after appearing in a credit scene as Superman in Black Adam.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy and Suicide Squad director says he saw Cavill’s announcement in the midst of contract discussions for the co-chairperson and CEO position.
“The day our deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back. I’m like, what is going on? Like, we know what the plan is, the plan was to come in and do Superman,” he said, speaking of the 2025 film with Corenswet at the helm.
“That was really unfortunate, I’m like, this poor guy.”
With plans locked in to see newcomer David Corenswet take on the role of Superman in Superman: Legacy, Gunn decided to sit down with Cavill face to face to break the news.
“Peter [Safran] and I knew the right thing to do is to sit down with [Cavill] and talk to him,” he explained.
“And we sat down, we talked to him, he was an absolute gentleman, a great guy about it. He said, ‘The only thing I ask is that I’m able to reveal it myself as opposed to it coming from you guys’.
“It was really unfair to him and was a total bummer.”
After this meeting, Cavill took to Instagram to share the update with his fans.
“I just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran, and it’s sad news, everyone,” he wrote in a text post.
“I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life.
“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.”
If the situation wasn’t messy enough, rumour has it that Cavill left his role as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher to free up his schedule for Superman.
Ouchie mama.
Despite the shitty situation, Superman: Legacy star Corenswet says that he exchanged letters with Cavill before taking on the iconic role.
“I had the pleasure of exchanging letters with two previous Supermans, Henry Cavill and Tyler Hoechlin. Both of them, interestingly, sort of said in their own words, ‘I’m not gonna try to give you any tips,’” Corenswet said per The Hollywood Reporter.
“They were very encouraging and we had a lovely exchange. … I’m excited to meet them one day, it’ll be great when we can all get in a room together.”
So, I guess no hard feelings, hey?
