It looks like Henry Cavill is hanging up his cape. According to numerous reports, the actor is out as Superman.
Talks broke down for a cameo in Shazam! due to scheduling conflicts, and the door is now closing on other potential appearances for the actor. Warners had been trying to enlist Cavill, who most recently co-starred in Mission: Impossible — Fallout, for a Superman cameo in Shazam!, which stars Zachary Levi and will open April 5. But contract talks between Cavill’s WME reps and Warners broke down, and the door is now closing on other potential Superman appearances.
Also causing an issue is the studio’s decision to focus on a Supergirl movie, which will be an origin story featuring a teen superheroine. This effectively removes an actor of Cavill’s age from the storyline’s equation given that Superman, aka Kal-El, would be an infant, according to DC lore.
Lastly, Warners isn’t likely to make a solo Superman film for at least several years. An insider said, “Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors.” As such, Cavill will likely join Ben Affleck, who isn’t expected to reprise his role for director Matt Reeves’ forthcoming Batman stand-alone film, as a hero on the way out.
While Affleck and Cavill are segueing out, others who were seen together onscreen in Justice League are carrying forward. Gal Gadot is returning for Wonder Woman 1984, to hit theaters in November 2019. Jason Momoa headlines a solo Aquaman movie this December. And Ezra Miller remains on board to star in a Flash movie, which is due to shoot in early 2019.
