When James Gunn took the reins of DC Studios, he brought with him a bold new vision for the future of the superhero universe. But with that fresh direction came some difficult decisions.
For Gunn, the most heartbreaking thing was parting ways with Henry Cavill, the actor who had, for many fans, become the definitive Superman.
James Gunn Claims Henry Cavill Is A Gentleman And There’s Still Room For Him In The DCU
While on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, James Gunn opened up about the emotional and awkward timing that led to Cavill’s departure from the role. The situation was as messy as it was unfortunate: On the very day Gunn signed his contract to take over DC Studios, Cavill publicly announced that he was returning as Superman.
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“I’m like, ‘What is going on? We know what the plan is,” Gunn recalled. The confusion stemmed from a leadership vacuum at DC Studios during the transition period, and in that uncertain time, wires got crossed. No one had told Cavill that Gunn’s plan for Superman involved a clean slate, a total reboot. “It was really unfair to him and was a total bummer,” Gunn admitted. “It sucked. There’s no other way to put it.”
Despite the surprising news, Gunn was quick to praise Cavill’s professionalism and character during their meeting. “Henry was an absolute gentleman,” he emphasized. “He only asked one thing: that he be the one to share the news himself. And of course, we respected that. That’s the kind of guy he is.”
Cavill had only recently returned to the screen in a Superman cameo in ‘Black Adam‘, and fans were excited by the prospect of seeing him return in a bigger role. However, Gunn’s vision for the new DC Universe centered on a younger Superman. “This was never about talent. Henry is an incredible actor,” Gunn said. “But I had to go with someone who matched the tone and direction we’re setting for this new chapter.”
Fans worried this meant the end of Cavill’s DC days entirely, but Gunn left the door wide open. “I would love to put Henry in something,” Gunn said, hinting at future collaborations. “He deserves to be part of this world.” Whether that means a surprise cameo, a role as a different character, or something more substantial remains to be seen.
“It’s A Priority, Not A Race”: James Gunn On Wonder Woman Casting
While Superman is well on his way into production, another major DC project, Wonder Woman, is still taking shape. Recently, rumors have swirled online about who might wield the Lasso of Truth in Gunn’s revamped universe. However, the Superman director was quick to shut them down.
In case you missed it: James Gunn’s New ‘Superman’ Redefines The Man Of Steel’s Origin And Soul
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In a response on Threads, Gunn clarified that casting for the next Wonder Woman hasn’t even begun. “We’re not actively looking, nor even discussing casting, until a script is finished,” he wrote. That means there’s no shortlist, no quiet negotiations, and certainly no focus on finding someone based solely on their background in television.
“Nope. And I’d never in a million years look for a major role based on whether they did TV, films, or whatever,” he explained. “It’s all about the casting.” Some reports had claimed that the studio was searching for “a TV-centric actress, akin to Supergirl’s Milly Alcock,” but Gunn quickly dismissed that speculation. The right actor will be chosen based on performance, not platform.
As for when we’ll actually see the next Wonder Woman on screen, Gunn cautioned fans not to expect a rushed timeline. “It’s a priority, but I wouldn’t call it fast-tracked,” he said. “Nothing is going to be shot unless we’re as sure as we can be that the script is good.” Moreover, this commitment to quality over speed is becoming a hallmark of Gunn’s approach.
