"Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn (56), the new powerful man at DC Studios, is writing a "Superman" film. Actor Henry Cavill (39) will not play a role in the project. The 39-year-old said the news was "not easy" for him after recently announcing he would be returning as Superman.
Gunn's new "Superman" film will appear to take the character in a different direction, focusing on the superhero's younger years. Cavill has played Superman since the 2013 film Man of Steel and had a cameo in the role this year in Black Adam. In October, after stepping down from starring in the Netflix series The Witcher, he announced he was reprising his role as Superman.
Now Cavill wrote on Instagram that Gunn and his co-chairman at DC Studios, Peter Safran (57), met with him to break the news: "I will not ultimately return as Superman," said the actor. "Having been asked by the studio to announce my return in October, ahead of its coming, this message isn't the easiest but that's life. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have to be a universe I wish them and everyone associated with the new universe the best of luck." His fans may "mourn a little bit," he explained, but "Superman is still here."
His time to wear the cape is over, "but what Superman stands for will never be." It was a "fun" trip with everyone. Cavill's announcement that he would be returning as Superman was reportedly approved by Warner Bros. before Gunn and Safran began their roles at DC Studios on November 1.
Gunn's new film about the superhero's younger years may also be directed by himself. Insiders told The Hollywood Reporter that he might not only write the film but also direct it.
Gunn tweeted that he and Peter Safran had a list "of things we couldn't be happier about." At the beginning of the new year, they will "be able to share some exciting information about our first projects," says Gunn. These include "Superman": "In the early stages, our story will focus 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've talked about a number of exciting opportunities to work together in the future."
