Despite being DC's most famous face, Superman hasn't the presence in the DCEU that fans may have expected. Henry Cavill was the latest actor to bring the Man of Steel to the big screen across three blockbuster flicks, but the British star has been absent since the debacle surrounding 2017's Justice League.
With Ben Affleck finally returning as Batman next year in two movies, many are wondering when Cavill will be back to don the iconic red cape. The actor, who currently stars in Netflix's The Witcher, was recently rumored to appear at San Diego Comic-Con to reveal his imminent return, but that proved to be false.
Although Cavill was absent from Comic-Con, a new report has offered a promising update surrounding his future as Superman.
Henry Cavill's Future as DC's Superman
During a conversation between Fandango's Erik Davis and The Wrap's Umberto Gonzalez on Twitter Spaces, the insiders offered a promising update on Henry Cavill's future as Superman in the DCEU.
Gonzalez first noted that "the Multiverse has to stay" if DC wishes to push forward with both Sasha Calle's Supergirl and Henry Cavill's Superman in the DCEU:
"The Multiverse has to stay, if they want to keep [Supergirl actress] Sasha Calle and bring back a new Superman or bring back Cavill or something, that's going to have to be the reality of it."
Davis then questioned Gonzalez on what he knew about Cavill's Superman future, saying he heard a story that "they've asked him, and he doesn't want to do it:"
Erik Davis: "What have you heard about Henry lately, I've heard a story that they've asked him, and he doesn't want to do it, he doesn't want to come back."
Gonzalez revealed the news Warner Bros. Discovery regime "like [Cavill] as Superman" and may try to bring him back, but that will depend on "whoever the new DC guy is overseeing the universe:"
"I'm pretty sure that if he heard the right take... I do know that the current regime, they like him as Superman and I think they're going to try... This is probably going to turn into a story, I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure they'll maybe try to [get him back]... I could be wrong, I just don't think they've had a take yet for him to come back. But again, that's all subject to whoever the new DC guy is overseeing the universe and this committee and the one answering to David Zaslav. It's been almost ten years since we've seen him in Man of Steel. But what I can say, I personally, I don't think it's over just yet."
When Will Superman Next Appear?
Warner Bros. Discovery's interest in bringing Henry Cavill back as Superman certainly bodes well for his chances of returning as the Man of Steel. The British star has previously been open about his interest in reprising his DC hero, so the odds are higher than ever that Cavill will be back in the DCEU in the coming years.
During the latest Warner Bros. earnings call, CEO David Zaslav noted his interest in pushing Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman more going forward, setting up a big role for the Man of Steel. With Ben Affleck coming back as The Dark Knight in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, DC is clearly up for involving its biggest heroes anywhere.
Black Adam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and The Flash could all involve the Man of Steel. As Cavill doesn't appear to have filmed any scenes as Superman lately, reshoots for the speedster epic could fit the Kryptonian hero in alongside Batman, Flash, Supergirl, and more. After all, The Flash needs some positive press right now given the Ezra Miller situation.
DC currently has two Superman projects in the works - an HBO Max series starring the Val-Zod iteration and a rebooted movie from J.J. Abrams. Perhaps Cavill may be integrated into Abrams' flick in order to bring more cohesiveness into the existing status quo.
Whether it's with Henry Cavill or another actor altogether, Superman will almost certainly be back in some form soon. Fans can only hope this will mark the end of the faceless Man of Steel cameos that DC has been pushing over the last few years.
