Genre:

Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Release Date:

June 16, 2023

Director:

Andy Muschietti

Cast:

Ben Affleck, Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon

Plot Summary:

Within the highly anticipated landscape known as the future of DC Studios, it appears that we are finally getting concrete answers from James Gunn himself on Twitter. Though many fans and pundits alike have been questioning everything in the world of DC, whether its Robert Pattinson’s The Batman universe, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker films or the impending future of the Justice League, it stands to reason that it all starts with Superman.

Gunn revealed in a thread on Twitter yesterday that Henry Cavill (Man of Steel, The Witcher) will no longer be putting on the red cape moving forward as he and Safran begin plotting out the future of the DCU. For some, it is tragic news. Cavill had played the character since 2013 with his introduction coming in the form of the solo film, Man of Steel directed by the original architect of the then-DCEU, Zack Snyder. Since then, Cavill has appeared on-screen as Clark Kent/Kal-El in so many other DC projects including Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, both versions of Justice League and even most recently in a post-credit scene following Black Adam.

In a series of tweets, Gunn revealed the following: “Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year. Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill. But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.”With this news, we know that though Cavill is done donning the “S on his chest,” he’s in the eyes of the creative forces at DC Studios for potentially another role. It would be hard to believe Cavill portraying a different character under the DC banner, however, due to the iconic nature that comes with playing Superman.

Cavill responded himself on Instagram confirming the meeting, saying: “I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.” It’s a heartbreaking revelation that the actor shared with the fans on social media after publicly announcing his supposed return to the role following the Black Adam stinger. Cavill then left his hit Netflix series, The Witcher, seemingly to work towards his obligation as the DC hero.

Further along in the thread of tweets, Gunn revealed that he will be writing the Superman movie and has been for a while though there is no definite director in place yet. He also confirmed that the latest take on the hero will not be an origin story.

It hasn’t been long that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been in charge of the newly monikered DCU, however, they sure know how to shake things up in a hurry. According to an exclusive report via The Hollywood Reporter, Gunn and Safran are prepping for a meeting next week with the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in which they will officially lay the groundwork and blueprint for DC Studios moving forward. Within that, it appears the duo will look to start with a clean slate as they aim to tear down the original cinematic universe that was set by Zack Snyder, all the way back in 2013 with Man of Steel and beyond.

Within this includes the cancellation of some projects in development such as Wonder Woman 3 with Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins, a potential Black Adam 2 starring Dwayne Johnson and another Superman film starring Henry Cavill. The report details that director Patty Jenkins, who previously helmed the first two comic book movies starring the Amazonian warrior played by Gadot, handed in her treatment to Gunn and Safran as well as the heads of the Warner Bros. film division and was told that they would not be moving forward with her vision of the character. Suspiciously, Gal Gadot took to Twitter this past Tuesday issuing a thank you to the fans for their support in her casting of the iconic DC Comics character possibly signaling an end for her version of the character. While the latter move is shocking for all involved and fans alike, the move could hypothetically save the cash strapped studio funds as Gadot was set to make $20 million to return as Wonder Woman. Patty Jenkins rate to direct also was set to move to $12 million even amidst coming off of the disappointing sequel, Wonder Woman 1984. 

Additionally, Dwayne Johnson’s character of Black Adam isn’t expected to receive a sequel film revolving around his character with mixed reports whether or not the film actually produced a profit. Black Adam grossed $384 million on a budget that was reported around $200 million. If you also figure the marketing costs for the movie, based on those numbers, it’s highly possible the film did not receive much of a profit despite being led by a box-office draw such as Dwayne Johnson. Additionally, despite much fanfare before and afterwards the release of Black Adam, Henry Cavill’s Superman did show up in a post-credit scene looking toward a return for the character in the DC Universe. Now, the report from THR speaks on Gunn and Safran eyeing a new version of the character, no longer having Cavill in their sights despite the actor going on social media in October speaking to his return as the Kryptonian hero. 

Despite all of this, the additional original heroes left from the Justice League created by Snyder would be the controversial Ezra Miller and the beloved Jason Momoa. The studio is looking to keep Momoa in the fold, though not as the sea-dwelling hero but rather as the antihero, Lobo. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set to release in December 2023 and by all accounts will wrap up Momoa’s duties as Aquaman before possibly transitioning to the intergalactic, cigar-chomping biker. Miller is still set to star in The Flash, which is based on the famous multi-versal comic run known as, Flashpoint. The film has not officially picture locked, leaving room for possibly more reshoots re-setting the DC Cinematic Universe marking an end for Momoa, Cavill, Gadot, Affleck and Miller under the new leadership.

All of this news aims towards the inevitable that many thought would come with the hiring of Gunn and Safran as the new DC heads: a complete clean slate. While other films such as Shazam! Fury of the Gods and Blue Beetle are upcoming, their lack of interconnectivity leave them on the periphery of what the bigger picture is for the comic book movie landscape being laid out from Warner Bros. Discovery. It’s clear that there are big plans in the works for DC and now with this news, it appears we have to prepare for some goodbyes for some beloved characters.