James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, recently spoke about the difficult moment when he had to tell Henry Cavill that the role of Superman was being recast in the new DC Universe. This news followed Cavill’s tenure as the iconic superhero, now set to be succeeded by David Corenswet. Gunn described the experience as “terrible,” sharing details on how the recasting decision unfolded amid complex studio negotiations.
Behind the Scenes: Timing and Miscommunications in the Recast Announcement
Gunn revealed that he had already begun writing a younger version of Superman before officially taking his position alongside co-CEO Peter Safran at Warner Bros. Discovery. However, the recasting announcement announcing Cavill’s return had come just one day before Gunn and Safran finalized their deal to head DC Studios in October 2022. This resulted in confusion and frustration, as Gunn explained to Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
“We were dealing with trying to figure out if we could take the job at DC Studios and we’re talking to David Zaslav and all the legal people there and figuring out what our deals would be. And the day our deal closed, all of a sudden they were announcing that Henry was back and I’m like, ‘What is going on? We know what the plan is,’ and [it] was a total bummer. But there was a vacuum at the time,”
Gunn said.
“They had wanted to take on what they wanted to do at DC and were trying to force their way and it just was never part of the equation for David Zaslav who was the head of WBD.”
Handling the Difficult Conversation With Henry Cavill
Following the announcement, Gunn and Safran faced the challenging task of communicating the recasting plans to Cavill. Gunn emphasized that despite the circumstances, Cavill approached the conversation with professionalism and grace. The actor requested that he be the one to reveal the news publicly rather than having it come from the studio executives.
“We came in and that was really unfortunate. I’m like, this poor guy. Peter and I— the right thing to do is sit down with him and talk to him,”
Gunn said.
“We sat down, we talked to him. He was an absolute gentleman, a great guy about it. He said, ‘The only thing I ask is that I’m able to reveal it myself as opposed to coming from you guys.’”
The Future of Henry Cavill Within the DC Universe
When asked whether bringing Cavill back in any capacity would disrupt the new storylines, Gunn was clear that it would not create any conflicts. He expressed openness to including Cavill as a different character in the expanding DC Universe, demonstrating respect for Cavill’s contribution to the franchise.
“No, as another character? Absolutely not. No, I talked to him about it on that day. No, I would love to put Henry in something,”
Gunn shared.
The Superman franchise continues to draw audiences, with the latest film currently playing in theaters. The developments in casting mark a new chapter for DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, as they shape the future trajectory of the superhero universe.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How old was Tara King when she dated Henry Cavill? King was 18 years old when she and Cavill first began dating and was 19 by the time they split in May 2016.
A. Did Henry Cavill date someone who was 18 years old?
Q. What religion is Henry Cavill?
A. Cavill was born on May 5, 1983, as the fourth of five boys in a Catholic family in Saint Helier, Jersey. His mother, Marianne, who was born in Jersey, has Scottish, English, and Irish roots. She worked as a secretary at a bank.
Q. Is Henry Cavill LGBT friendly?
A. He enjoys and values his fanbase within the LGBTQ+ community, as most actors do. That’s great for him!
Q. Who has a crush on Henry Cavill?
A. Tiffany Haddish once revealed she had a big crush on Henry Cavill. However, when they met, she thought he was somewhat awkward. Tiffany joked she should discuss Dungeons & Dragons with him. To her, Henry seemed not quite as “super” as expected.
