The DC Extended Universe is looking to potentially regain some favor in the world of comic book movies over the next couple of years with exciting sequels and new franchises debuting. This will kick off in August with director James Gunn delivering The Suicide Squad before a franchise-record four new films come to theaters in 2022.
Later down the road for the DCEU, Warner Bros. is said to be developing a Superman movie with a Black leading man in the role.
Right now, it’s unclear whether this movie would feature any of the classic characters from the comics like Calvin Ellis or when it would even go into development. However, it is causing even more uncertainty surrounding Henry Cavill’s Kal-El from the DCEU’s first movie, whose future with the franchise is already potentially on the ropes.
While Cavill didn’t specifically address this point, he may have teased it in his latest social media post.
HENRY CAVILL TALKS FAN ANIMOSITY
DCEU star Henry Cavill took to Instagram to share his extended thoughts on the “social animosity” he’s seen lately within his fan community
Discussing the “speculation…about [his] private life and professional partnerships,” Cavill feels that the speculation surrounding his future has “come to such a point that [he] needed to say something.”
This “professional partnership” speculation that Cavill pointed out may be in reference to unsubstantiated rumors that he’s unhappy with Warner Bros. about their rebooted Superman movie:
“Dear fans and followers, I wanted to make a wee community announcement. I couldn’t help but notice that there has been some social animosity of late. It’s becoming increasingly prevalent on my feed. There has been lots of, let’s call it speculation for now, about my private life and professional partnerships. Now, while I do appreciate the passion and support by those very people who are “speculating”, It has come to such a point that I needed to say something, which in itself, is a bad thing.”
Cavill called for fans to stop “expressing [their] disdain and showing [their] displeasure” through such a “surprising variety of ways,” saying that it’s causing “harm to the people [he cares] about most.” He pushes people to “move forward with positivity” and urged the fandom to approach topics like this in a more positive manner going forward:
“We are living in an age of social enlightenment. More and more, people are realising that their views may have been blinkered and that they need to expand them to encompass others. So, to you out there who are expressing your disdain and showing your displeasure through a surprising variety of ways, it’s time to stop. I know it can be fun to speculate, to gossip, and to dive into our own personal echo chambers on the internet, but your “passion” is misplaced, and it causes harm to the people I care about most. Even your most conservative of negative assumptions about both my personal and professional life just aren’t true. Let’s embrace this age of social enlightenment together, and move forward with positivity. I am very happy in love, and in life. I’d be enormously grateful if you were happy with me. If you can’t bring yourself to be happy with me, then at the very least try to do yourself proud and be the best version of yourself.”
Cavill’s full Instagram post, featuring an image of himself with girlfriend Natalie Viscuso, can be seen below:
CAVILL’S DCEU FUTURE STILL UNCERTAIN
Henry Cavill has certainly enjoyed his experience playing the DCEU’s Clark Kent since he first arrived in 2013’s Man of Steel.
Even though he was a part of films like Batman v Superman and the theatrical Justice League, his performance specifically didn’t seem to add to the animosity towards the two franchise flops theatrically. Zack Snyder’s Justice League though did bring back some spark for his portrayal, although he hasn’t been part of a canon film in nearly four years.
Fans have been vocal about wanting Warner Bros. to develop a sequel to Man of Steel for some time, especially with Cavill still seemingly passionate about playing Clark Kent on the big screen.
However, there aren’t even whispers surrounding development for that movie, and there are also no set plans for Cavill to return to the role in any capacity. After all, this is the very franchise that didn’t bring Cavill in for a two-second cameo in Shazam!, opting for a stand-in wearing the suit instead.
Cavill seems to be ever the optimist here, or at least, he’s attempting to set the minds of the DC fandom in a more positive direction. Others in the company have spoken of their excitement for the rumored Superman reboot, although there are plenty who want to see Cavill take on the last son of Krypton in another successful adventure.
