When James Gunn took the reins at DC Studios, he had a clear vision for revamping the superhero franchise — but it came with tough decisions. One of the most difficult? Recasting Superman, replacing Henry Cavill with rising star David Corenswet for a fresh take on the legendary character.
In a recent podcast interview, Gunn pulled back the curtain on that pivotal conversation. He recalled the chaotic timing of it all: “The day we were finalizing our deal with DC, suddenly there were headlines that Henry was back as Superman,” he shared. “But we knew the reboot was the direction. It was unfair to him.”
Despite the shock and the mixed signals surrounding his supposed return, Cavill showed remarkable professionalism during the meeting. “He was gracious, truly a gentleman,” Gunn said. “He simply asked to break the news himself, which we respected.”
Cavill had worn the red cape in multiple DC films, beginning with Man of Steel in 2013, and had become a fan favorite. Though his Superman run ended prematurely, the director hinted that Cavill’s journey in the DC Universe might not be entirely over. “He could return in another role,” Gunn teased.
As for the reboot, Superman (2025), now headlined by David Corenswet, launched in theaters on July 11 to warm critical reception. Co-starring Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as the cunning Lex Luthor, the film has already pulled in $273 million worldwide, validating Gunn’s bold new direction.
Cavill, meanwhile, continues his rise in Hollywood, with upcoming projects across both film and streaming, proving that while the cape may be gone, his star power certainly isn’t.
