News broke today via The Hollywood Reporter that actor Henry Cavill will not be reprising his role as the Man of Steel in future DC Films after negotiations fell through for a role in the upcoming film “Shazam!” due to scheduling conflicts. Warner Bros. had recently been in talks with the 35-year old actor to make a cameo appearance in Shazam! (which will be released April 5), but contract talks fell through between the actor and the studio which resulted in his departure from the film and any future Superman movies. The move suggests a radical change in strategy for Warner Bros. as they try to compete with the more successful Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With Henry Cavill hanging up Superman's cape, DC should probably reboot everything except for Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot has been their only bright spot so far. Don't @ me.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) September 12, 2018
The scheduling issues appear to fall in line with his commitment to the Netflix series “The Witcher”, which the streaming company announced last week in a news release, according to FOX News.
“Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts,” Netflix said in a statement. “But when destiny hurtles him toward a powerful sorceress, and a young princess with a dangerous secret, the three must learn to navigate the increasingly volatile Continent together.”
At this time, neither Cavill nor Warner Bros. has made an official statement following the change. Cavill first donned the red cape in the 2013 movie “Man of Steel.” He reprised the role again three years later in “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” His final appearance of the character was in 2017 for “Justice League.” Cavill’s most recent role was in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” that was released this July. Cavill’s departure will not affect the other Justice League characters, as Gal Gadot will reprise her role as Wonder Woman in the new film “Wonder Woman 1984” in 2019, Jason Momoa will headline “Aquaman” this December and Ezra Miller is reportedly still on board for a “Flash” movie that is still in the works.
However, Warner Bros. is changing gears and focusing their attention on a new “Supergirl” movie, which will not require Superman’s presence according to ComingSoon.net. Per the comic book storyline, Supergirl, Superman’s cousin, was a teenager when their home planet of Krypton was destroyed. As a result, her timeline would mean Cavill’s character would be an infant for any relevant origin story.