The Super Powered Fancast

Fans waiting for a Man of Steel sequel might have to start fancasting a new face for the hero.

According to an exclusive in The Hollywood Reporter, actor Henry Cavill is out as Clark Kent/Superman in the DC Universe. Cavill played the hero in the films Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and last year’s Justice League.

Neither Warner Brothers or Cavill have confirmed the story, but according to the THR article, talks between the studio and the actor began to break down when they were negotiating for Cavill to cameo in the upcoming Shazam film set to be released in April. According to the studio, scheduling conflicts prevented the Superman cameo, but there are other factors that are being discussed as well. This was confirmed after Cavill took the lead role in the upcoming Netflix series The Witcher.

Another factor in the possible removal of Cavill as Superman is time. There are no plans for another Superman movie for years and according to a Warner Brothers studio source; “Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors.” This also falls in line with the expected removal of Ben Affleck from the role of Batman as there is no indication that he will play the part in Matt Reeves upcoming Batman film.

This leads to more speculation that, with the exception of Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller’s Flash and Jason Mamoa’s Aquaman films and sequels, Warner Brothers CEO Kevin Tsujihara and Warner Brothers Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich are looking to “reset” the DC Comics film universe.

More on this story as it develops.

(UPDATE)

Warner Brothers released a statement.

“While no decisions have been made regarding any upcoming Superman films, we’ve always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged,” read the statement from a Warner Bros. spokesperson.

So the studio has released a statement that doesn’t address whether or not Henry Cavill will continue to play Superman in either a Man of Steel sequel or another Warner Brothers DC Comics film, but we can all be assured that have respect for the actor and their relationship.