Henry Cavill Had Warner Bros.’ Approval To Announce Superman Return; WB Turned Down MAN OF STEEL 2 Pitch

Henry Cavill Had Warner Bros.’ Approval To Announce Superman Return; WB Turned Down MAN OF STEEL 2 Pitch

It's been revealed that Warner Bros. did have a say in Henry Cavill's decision to announce his Superman return, while the studio has already declined to make a Man of Steel 2 pitched by Charles Roven...

By JoshWilding - Dec 09, 2022 06:12 AM EST
Filed Under: Man of Steel
Source: Deadline

With DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran in the midst of creating a new slate of interconnected DCU movies, TV shows, and video games for Warner Bros., the "DCEU" as we know it is in a state of flux. This will lead to some big changes, and it's quickly become clear that not everyone will be happy about them. 

Perhaps the most controversial decision that's reportedly been made thus far is the plug being pulled on Man of Steel 2.

Dwayne Johnson is thought to have taken matters into his own hands in order to ensure Henry Cavill could make a cameo appearance as Superman in Black Adam, and all signs pointed to him then returning to the DCEU in a new movie the actor said would be a more hopeful and joyful experience for fans.

That was something we very much looked forward to, especially as Cavill's absence from this franchise has frustrated and upset Superman fans in equal measure.

According to Deadline, Cavill was in "lock step" with the studio when the time came to announce his Superman return on Instagram back in October. In other words, they were fully on board with him sharing that heartfelt message with the world, so what changed? 

Well, it came the day before Gunn and Safran were appointed as heads of DC Studios, perhaps signalling that the previous regime somewhat jumped the gun. However, there's nothing to suggest the duo aren't perfectly happy with keeping the popular actor in the DCU as Superman once their plan is formulated. 

However, making a new Superman movie appears easier said than done as the trade notes that Man of Steel producer and writer Charles Roven pitched a follow-up to former DC Films executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy. Unfortunately, they didn't like it and chose to wait on Gunn and Safran's plan to be formulated. Clearly, everyone wants to this movie right. 

As a result, the movie never received the green light and won't until Warner Bros. potentially "hears a better pitch."

There have been rumblings lately that The Flash director Andy Muschietti is keen to direct a Superman project, and it's pointed out elsewhere in this report that both he and Logan director James Mangold are interested in working with DC Studios. 

We're sure Gunn and Safran are aware fans want to see more of Cavill as Superman. However, if they're determined to give this DCU a fresh start with new faces, recasting Kal-El may be inevitable. We'll see what happens.

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Spawnnn
Spawnnn - 12/9/2022, 6:38 AM
That would be the biggest L in the history of mankind, if they recast him after he announced himself back. I think Dwayne Johnson planted some wrong ideas in his head. They are probably both done.
GreedoSarducci
GreedoSarducci - 12/9/2022, 7:40 AM
@Spawnnn - DC gonna DC.
dhlthecobra
dhlthecobra - 12/9/2022, 8:45 AM
@Spawnnn - "That would be the biggest L in the history of mankind."
The1st
The1st - 12/9/2022, 5:12 PM
@GreedoSarducci - WB is the place to be...not.
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 12/9/2022, 9:39 PM
@Spawnnn - Dwayne needed a good ego check
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 12/9/2022, 6:40 AM
Until the wheels are actually in motion on this new stage of the DCU, there's no point going on all this speculation. May not get any solid news until after Gunn is done promoting Vol. 3.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 12/9/2022, 7:03 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - I kinda hope he presents his plans beforehand, otherwise the whole press tour is just gonna be interviewers asking about DC
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 12/9/2022, 7:48 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - You're probably right. The way news has been constantly coming out then being almost instantly debunked, then rebunked, then Gunn half confirming but not really? None of this feels reliable at all. Even the stuff Gunn mentions is still up in the air and can be changed.

I saw another piece last night saying WW3, in its current form, isn't happening now, but that Gadot might still be in place to play WW.

Who knows at this point?
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 12/9/2022, 8:52 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - In theory he is announcing his plans next week, but considering we are going to start seeing them in 2024, I doubt it.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 12/9/2022, 9:50 AM
@bkmeijer1 @TheHumanSpider2 - Granted, I imagine talks of all this has been taking place obviously since he was brought on for The Suicide Squad, and subsequently Peacemaker, so I'm sure he's been mapping his plan out for some time by now. And thinking on it, I agree, I would imagine they would have to give some information (which they have been gradually doing) prior to to the Guardians press tour, since he is officially working for DC all the same. You just know that any number of those reporters won't help but ask the obnoxious question or two. All the same, I still think they'll leave enough seeds to suggest the plan in motion, but no proper project announcements anytime immediately. But we'll find out about that.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 12/9/2022, 9:51 AM
@CorndogBurglar - Yeah, most of it is just rumors and not even news, so it's just the internet running rampant. Keeps this website busy though.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 12/9/2022, 9:59 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - I don't expect full plan or project announcements either. We'll get that at SDCC maybe.

Hope some things we'll be announced before that (like what is in motion) so we already know what to expect the direction is they're going in.
The1st
The1st - 12/9/2022, 5:13 PM
@CorndogBurglar - You know what DC needs? I'm surprised they haven't figured it out yet.


CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 12/9/2022, 5:14 PM
@The1st - Damn, I surprised none of us figured that out yet! Good call. Lol
WruceBayne
WruceBayne - 12/10/2022, 7:02 PM
@The1st - we already had a “DC Sniper”… yeah that didn’t workout too well for people in strip mall parking lots.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 12/9/2022, 6:51 AM
That... seems quite uncharacteristic of Henry. If I were to bet on it, I'd say he was told prematurely by Dwayne that it's set in stone.
Fares
Fares - 12/9/2022, 7:39 AM
@DrReedRichards - I think he'd be forgiven for assuming that Black Adam's mid-credits scene was enough of an indication that, sooner or later, he'd be returning as the character. I think everyone aside from the higher-ups assumed that much at the time.
I hope it didn't factor in his departure from Witcher in any significant way, because if he's neither Superman nor Geralt then sheesh I feel bad for the guy.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 12/9/2022, 8:02 AM
@Fares -

That's more or less what I thought of as well. Cavill never came across as the unprofessional kind, so he'd only make that announcement if he was led to believe that his return is guaranteed. Now, who it actually was that led to such misdirection, implying said guarantee without having the final word, is why I place the blame on Johnson in my initial post.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 12/9/2022, 8:55 AM
@DrReedRichards - The Rock convinced the media, fans, and probably Henry that he was going to be put in charge of DC...and they believed him.
No wonder he is thinking about getting into politics, lol.
DrReedRichards
DrReedRichards - 12/9/2022, 9:06 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 -

The Rock convinced himself that he's in charge, and that's the saddest part.
Fares
Fares - 12/9/2022, 9:08 AM
@DrReedRichards - It could be. It could be Henry's agent since it's the same as the Rock's. It would be good publicity for Black Adam. But either way, even if they weren't behind it, I don't think Henry would be able to avoid addressing it in some shape or form, either on social media or in an interview seeing that he was promoting Enola Holmes. If Henry avoided questions or was like "Oh, we'll see, it's too early to tell", especially during the Josh Horowitz interview, it may not look good on WB. I'm sure even they don't want that, especially during Black Adam's theatrical run, which is essentially a movie that Henry is a part of and is expected to support rather than detract from.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 12/9/2022, 9:51 AM
@DrReedRichards - James:

Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 12/9/2022, 10:52 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 - I loved that scene so much. Such a strange but intimidating gesture when we placed his hand on his shoulder like that.
Taonrey
Taonrey - 12/9/2022, 11:51 AM
@Fares - yeah he was reportedly making 1m an episode on the Witcher so I hope Superman wasn’t the reason he left
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 12/10/2022, 1:13 AM
@DrReedRichards -


I honestly think Dwayne thought he was gonna be the RDJ of the DCEU. He thought black Adam was gonna be iron man of the DCEU and it was gonna involve him in many upcoming films. He saw the state of DCEU and saw it was direction less and took it upon himself to be it's leader.🤡
Moriakum
Moriakum - 12/9/2022, 6:54 AM
James Gunn to The Rock and Cavill:
EgoEgor
EgoEgor - 12/9/2022, 4:01 PM
@Moriakum - it's funny that the best line of that movie was completely improvised by him and Hanks.
bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 12/9/2022, 7:03 AM
If they might wanna keep Mamoa and Gadot around, I don't see why wouldn't keep Cavill. Sure it's dumb to announce it before it's sure he's returning though.

As for Man of Steel 2 (better just call it Man of Tomorrow or Superman), just pit him and Supergirl against Brainiac. Shouldn't be too hard.
MaxPaint
MaxPaint - 12/9/2022, 7:03 AM
Endless circus.
GetsugaTensho22
GetsugaTensho22 - 12/9/2022, 7:05 AM
I’m just tired of repeatedly mourning the DC universe.
I can’t do this shit anymore
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 12/9/2022, 7:18 AM
Another article with no actual source from DC, Gunn or Safran.
But but Gunn said somethings are true. Yeah if you guess enough bullshat eventually one of your made up “insider news” would be close to some truth.
I still say until Gunn and/or Safran make it official I don’t believe none of the rumors these articles are constantly repeating… and I get that it doesn’t matter if it’s true to the article creators as they just want to repeat what they read from some “anonymous source in effort to get more clicks.
Let’s hope certain things that work well stay and others that didn’t get corrected. I myself would rather get one more Cavill lead Superman film or JL film. But I’m also ok with burning it all down and starting a new.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 12/9/2022, 7:21 AM
I don't believe this at all, man could've done that years ago if that were true.
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