James Gunn Casts Doubt on Henry Cavill's Superman Existence In The Suicide Squad Universe

The DCEU's newest team-up adventure, The Suicide Squad, is rapidly approaching its August 6, 2021 release date. As Warner Bros. puts out new action-packed trailers, writer and director James Gunn (who previously helmed Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy) continues to promise fans an experience unlike anything that's been seen in the DCEU.

With a mix of familiar characters, such as Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, plus new fun faces like John Cena's Peacemaker, the film acts as a sort of soft reboot for the Suicide Squad franchise. And, given its R-rating, Gunn is clearly attempting to breathe new and exciting life into Task Force X.

While not too much is known about every new character, one villain that the director has shared some backstory on is Idris Elba's Bloodsport, who Gunn revealed to be in prison for attempting to murder Superman with a kryptonite bullet.

Even though this may seem to suggest that The Suicide Squad could feature heavy connections to Henry Cavill's Superman, James Gunn could also be cautioning fans to think otherwise.

HENRY CAVILL'S SUPERMAN IN THE SUICIDE SQUAD?

The Suicide Squad writer and director James Gunn recently sat down with IGN to break down the film's newest trailer. At the 0:25 minute mark, Gunn described Bloodsport's complicated history with the Man of Steel, where the villain's attempt on Superman's life actually put the hero in the ICU.

This led Gunn to exclaim that while "Yes, The Suicide Squad is a part of the DCEU," he wasn't exactly sure "which Superman it was" that Bloodsport went toe-to-toe with:

"So yes, Bloodsport is in prison for uh, putting Superman into the ICU with a kryptonite bullet. Yes, The Suicide Squad is a part of the DCEU, but uh, I don't know which Superman it was because I don't cast the next Superman. So uh, it could be Henry [Cavill], it could be somebody else. It's whoever people decide on other than me." 

WHO IS THE DCEU'S MAN OF STEEL?

Henry Cavill's future with Warner Bros. and the DCEU has been unclear, to say the least. While Cavill's iteration of the Man of Steel remained popular in the eyes of fans after Zack Snyder's Justice League, there are still no concrete plans for any sequels or other projects starring Henry Cavill's Superman. 

There have been rumors that Cavill could pop up for a cameo in the next Shazam! movie, but Warner Bros.' in-the-works Superman reboot and the introduction of Supergirl in the upcoming film The Flash could add more validity to the conclusion that Warner Bros. is attempting to create some distance between the DCEU and the Superman that started it all.

However, Gunn's statement about not knowing which Superman Bloodsport came into contact with is far from a confirmation that Henry Cavill is officially out. There are merely decisions about that character that Warner Bros. has yet to make, or at least, to Gunn's knowledge.

It seems as if The Suicide Squad will not be providing any answers about Superman's future in the DCEU. The movie will just be an exciting ensemble action-adventure filled with over-the-top villains, out-of-this-world threats, and Sylvestor Stallone as a talking shark. So, it could still be worth a watch.

The Suicide Squad premieres in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6, 2021.