After a much ballyhooed appearance in the terrific Mission Impossible: Fallout, Henry Cavill’s stock has seen quite a rise this year – a fine turn of events for the actor post-Supermustache. He’s started to cash in on it to some degree, taking the lead role in Netflix’s adaptation of the Witcher gaming franchise, but there were still some that were hoping he might finally get a chance to play the kind of Superman (in a solo film) that the end of Justice League promised.
Well, according to THR, that’s probably not going to happen, as negotiations between Cavill and the studio have completely broken down over the possibility that he would return for a cameo in next year’s Shazam!. And now it seems as though the door is closing on any other appearances in the future, as WB is focused on instead creating a Supergirl film that will focus on her origin…and while one could easily see a place for Cavill to appear in that film in some capacity, it doesn’t look to be in the cards.
The more pressing issue is that the studio simply isn’t aiming to produce another Superman film for a number of years, and the ongoing delay to any potential project of that nature, basically puts to bed any possibility we’ll be seeing the character grace screens again any time soon.
So with that said, if all holds, it looks like Cavill is following Ben Affleck into the sunset in terms of their DC tenures. The complicating factor of course being that Gal Gadot remains a huge hit as Wonder Woman and there’s every possibility that Jason Momoa’s solo Aquaman appearance will strike a chord too. Ezra Miller is also still scheduled to start filming a Flash standalone this Spring. So a reboot of the franchise just isn’t possible, my guess remains Shazam basically replaces Superman for a while, and Matt Reeves Batman (if it happens) is a younger Batman. Allowing all the current pieces to remain in place until the whole thing runs its course.
Good for Cavill. Whatever works for him, and he is/was a good Superman.
The links to this piece show that he’s been playing Superman for more than seven years now. That’s really a long time for an actor to be in a part.
“That’s really a long time for an actor to be in a part.”
Hugh Jackman was Wolverine for 17 years.
Cavill was terrific as a villain in “Mission Impossible: Fallout.” I’d be glad to see him in more sinister roles.
And that was an even longer time – enough to define his whole career.
The difference is that people actually LIKED Jackman as Wolverine and he was in at least four pretty good movies (X-Men, X-Men 2, X-Men: DOFP and Logan).
Cavill is one of those guys who every once in a while the Hollywood industry collectively tries to turn into a star. The hilarious thing is that it looks like they’ve finally given up just as he shows up in his first truly decent flick (Mission Impossible: Fallout).
Mike
Ben Affleck is currently in rehab for alcohol addiction, which may or may not have something to do with his departure.
“Cavill is one of those guys who every once in a while the Hollywood industry collectively tries to turn into a star.”
There’s a long list of “hunks” from the U.K. that Hollywood has tried to turn into stars, to the indifference of audiences. Jude Law may be the best known example.
“Jude Law may be the best known example.”
Jude Law gets a lifetime pass for Gattaca. Otherwise, your point is valid.
Mike
I once heard a good statement about Superman that has proven true. From Donner on, directors have looked for relatively unknown actors to play his character. It adds to the everyman catheterization when you don’t recognize the actor. I imagine WB will have no trouble finding another soft-spoken, square-jawed, 6 foot actor to put in the suit.
“Catheterization”! Good grief. That should be characterization!
The thing about Cavill (and Jude Law and Colin Farrell) is that they’re character actors in the bodies (and handsome faces) of traditional leading men. That’s also true of Johnny Depp.
All these guys can act, but they lack the commanding presence of true movie stars … and Depp’s career is fading fast. Even the Pirates movies aren’t making money anymore — at least not in the U.S.
I heard a rumor that Michael B. Jordan is being considered as the new Superman. I’m dreading the fanboy reaction if that happens.
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