In Black Adam's mid-credits scene, Henry Cavill finally makes his return as the DCU's Man of Steel...with John William's iconic Superman: The Movie score used in the background. It felt like a way of reiterating that this Superman will be more hopeful than Zack Snyder's take on the hero, though some fans took it as a sign of disrespect to composer Hans Zimmer.
After all, his Superman theme has become iconic in its own right. Now, though, Cavill himself has addressed the decision to make use of Williams' work for his first scene as Kal-El since 2017.
"John Williams’ theme song is obviously incredibly important to the character," the actor tells Cinema Blend. "It’s something which resonates with the character and everything time I think anyone in the world hears that, I think a large portion of the world who hears that will recognize it immediately as Superman and feel a certain way about it, and I do think it’s wonderful."
So, as suspected, this was meant to remind us of what Superman arguably should be on screen. Say what you will about Joss Whedon's Justice League, but the movie definitely delivered a Man of Tomorrow who was more in line with his comic book counterpart.
Cavill would go on to share his love for Zimmer's work, making it clear he has no issue with that theme.
"At the same time, equally so, I think Hans Zimmer’s Man of Steel score was just as wonderful. I have incredibly powerful feelings about that because I remember watching the trailer, the first teasers come out, and I was sitting there with my friend and we were both so excited about it and the way the score plays."
"Both are incredibly powerful in their own way and both are just as iconic for the character," he added. "It was just such a pleasure to be back in the suit, whether it be John Williams or whether it be Hans Zimmer, they’re both extraordinary, extraordinary artists."
A new Superman movie is somewhere on the horizon, but doesn't currently have a release date.