In the new film, Superman will be younger, and his role will not be played by Henry Cavill.
James Gunn is currently writing the script for the Superman movie and notes that the project will focus on the hero’s younger years, so he will be played by a younger actor rather than the “veteran” Cavil. Gunn and DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran recently spoke with Henry about potentially working together on future projects and possibly in a different role.
And while Gunn is currently writing the script, The Hollywood Reporter notes that he could potentially direct the upcoming show as well.
“Peter and I are actively working now, and the results are not bad. At the beginning of next year, we will be able to share information about our first projects. Superman is among the plans, but in the initial stages the story will focus on the hero’s younger years, so he will not be played by Cavil. But we’ve just met with Henry, who we have a lot of respect for, and discussed a number of opportunities to work together in the future.”
Among those on the slate is Superman. In the first stages, our store will deal with the early part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
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FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
Insiders claim that the new Superman, while younger, will not live in Smallville, but will likely be Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent.
The news will come as a surprise to fans, as Cavill took to Instagram back in October to confirm his intention to play the DC superhero in future films for the first time in a long time, following his last full appearance in the role in 2017’s Justice League. The actor’s announcement came after he appeared as the superhero in the credits of Black Adam, a DC film starring Dwayne Johnson.
According to sources, the Instagram message was initiated by Warners executives before Gunn and Safran were hired.
Cavil, who also previously announced his exit from Netflix’s The Witcher, now wrote on Instagram:
“At the end of the day, I’m not going back to the role of Superman. The studio asked me to announce the comeback in October, before the arrival [Ганна и Сафрана]. Change is normal and I respect that. I wish success to everyone involved in the creation of the new universe.”
All of this was preceded by years of rumors that Cavil was no longer going to play Superman (which persisted as recently as this summer). Against the backdrop of the actor’s appearance in films such as Mission: Impossible: Fallout or The Witcher series, audiences have seen Superman appearing less and less often in DC Extended Universe films. Before Black Adam, the character last appeared for a few seconds in Shazam! in 2019 and in the finale of “Peacemaker” – however, in both versions of Superman, an understudy played, and the angles were selected so as not to show his face. You can also mention the 2021 Justice League, which showed footage of Superman, but it was taken from the 2017 version.
Since taking over in November, Gunn and Safran have been holding meetings with other key players in the DC universe. In addition to Cavill, they recently met with Batman actor Ben Affleck and also spoke with director Patty Jenkins, who previously announced that she would not be making a third Wonder Woman.
Director Jeffrey Jacob Abrams and screenwriter Ta-Nehisi Coates are also developing a Superman movie starring a black actor, “Black Superman.” It is said that Hanna’s new film will not affect this project.
Warners has long wanted Gunn to direct a Superman film. In 2018, then-studio boss Toby Emmerich was “pushing” James for Superman. And Gunn decided to write and stage “Suicide Squad”. The film also paved the way for HBO Max’s The Peacemaker, and gave Gunn a taste of DC universe building.
That said, Superman has long been a favorite of Gunn, who has been mulling over the new film since his early days at DC four years ago. Over the weekend, he celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Richard Donner film’s 1978 release by sharing a poster and reminiscing about seeing it in Missouri theaters as a child. The director wrote: “I enjoyed it and for me it rivaled Star Wars.”
Superman premiered 44 years ago today. ❤️? pic.twitter.com/FRtl4noDwI
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 10, 2022
