Cast This: Superman

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

The DC Universe received a bit of a shake-up last week when THR reported that Warner Bros. would be parting ways with Henry Cavill after contract talks with the actor broke down. Henry Cavill has played Superman in MAN OF STEEL, BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, and JUSTICE LEAGUE, and Warner Bros. had been hoping that the actor would make a cameo appearance as Superman in SHAZAM!, but once the talks fell apart, the studio reportedly shifted focus to the SUPERGIRL movie instead. This has put Henry Cavill's future as Superman in doubt as Warner Bros. are unlikely to make another standalone Superman film for at least several years. A studio source told THR that, "Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors."

However, Henry Cavill's manager Dany Garcia later took to Twitter to say, "Be peaceful, the cape is still in his closet. [Warner Bros.] has been and continues to be our partners as they evolve the DC Universe." The studio then released their own statement:

We have a great relationship and great respect for Henry Cavill that continues to remain unchanged. Additionally we have made no current decisions regarding any upcoming Superman films.

Henry Cavill followed up on this statement by posting a cryptic video on Instagram, leading to much confusion from fans as to whether or not the actor was indeed hanging up the cape. Given that Warner Bros. hasn't had the best of luck launching their DC Universe, it would seem that they're in the process of reconsidering their approach, and perhaps even hitting the reset button. So, although nothing is official, it's possible that Warner Bros. may be looking for a new Man of Steel sooner rather than later.

At the moment, JUSTICE LEAGUE stands as Henry Cavill's last appearance as Superman, and although he wasn't in the film quite as much as the other members of the League, the film did end up presenting us with a Superman who was more confident and full of hope than we'd seen before. Many fans had been wanting this take on the character from the beginning, and given that Warner Bros. seems as though they'll be injecting a little more lightheartedness into the formally dark and gritty franchise, it's likely that their next take on Superman, whoever that ends up being, will continue in that direction.

Born as Kal-El on Krypton, the man who would become Superman was sent to Earth by his parents in order to save him from a cataclysmic event which destroyed their world. Named Clark Kent by the farming couple who discovered and raised him, Clark developed various superhuman abilities as he grew, including flight, heat-vision, and invulnerability, and later took a job as a journalist for the Daily Planet in Metropolis. Toss in a handful of truth, a scoop a justice, and a spoonful of the American way, and you've got Superman.

Thanks to the various Superman projects which have been in and out of development over the decades, it's likely that just about every young actor in Hollywood has a Superman audition under their belts; in fact, before Zack Snyder cast Henry Cavill in MAN OF STEEL, the actor had previously been considered to play the role for McG's SUPERMAN: FLYBY, but lost out when Bryan Singer took over the project and cast Brandon Routh. Now, who should get a shot at the role should Henry Cavill step aside? Well, that's up to you, but I'll toss out a few suggestions to get you started. Armie Hammer (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME) has flirted with the realm of superheros before as George Miller (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD) cast the actor to play Batman in the scrapped JUSTICE LEAGUE: MORTAL movie, so he's certainly past due to step back into the ring and I feel like he'd be a much better fit for Superman. David Giuntoli (Grimm) is a little more of an unknown compared to Armie Hammer, but that's typically where Warner Bros. likes to cast their net for the Man of Steel, and Giuntoli certainly has the look. Matt Bomer (White Collar) has frequently been brought up in regards to the role, and, like Henry Cavill, was even in the running for SUPERMAN: FLYBY when Brett Ratner was attached to direct. Bomer has also voiced Superman in 2013's SUPERMAN: UNBOUND. Take it from here, folks.

Remember, you're free to suggest anyone in the comments, so let your inner casting director run wild!

Previously on Cast This, you were asked to fill the role of Aragorn, who is rumoured to be the focus of Amazon's upcoming Lord of the Rings TV series. Replacing Viggo Mortensen will be no small feat, but you came through with plenty of great suggestions, including Tom Hiddleston (AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), and Dan Stevens (APOSTLE).