On Wednesday, The Hollywood Reporter claimed Henry Cavill will no longer be playing Superman, which just stokes more confusion around a cinematic universe that is already restructuring, hired multiple Jokers, and might have lost their Batman. For what it’s worth, that report may prove to be wrong, as Cavill’s manager, Dany Garcia, denied it:
https://twitter.com/DanyGarciaCo/status/1039902939261808640
Warner did issue a statement, but it’s vague, pointing out that “no decisions have been made” and that they have “always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged.” Okay, but does he still work for you?
Statement from Warner Bros.: "While no decisions have been made regarding any upcoming Superman films, we’ve always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged" https://t.co/oy9WHJ2nGE
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 12, 2018
Meanwhile, Tatiana Siegel, deputy film editor at The Hollywood Reporter, said Warner were the ones who decided to part with Cavill, and Cavill himself posted a cryptic message on Instagram.
People are, not surprisingly, confused:
Me trying to figure out what Henry meant pic.twitter.com/woc1A4QNIl
— Rhea (@4eyedRaven) September 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/UberKryptonian/status/1039925999096483842
And Reddit took the news well, if by “well” you envision the GIF of Kermit the Frog frantically waving his arms and screaming.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, shots were fired:
PUT WB AND THE DCEU IN RICE https://t.co/Gfo1wMuDOl
— Darth Kriss (@insanityreport) September 12, 2018
Can't wait for the Superman reboot in a few years that'll bring back the red trunks, John Williams' theme, and Superman smiling in every scene while saying things like "Golly Lois, that's just swell!" pic.twitter.com/1wqbktClwZ
— TheBatstan (@TheBatstan) September 12, 2018
Henry Cavill isn't Superman anymore.
It's not even 9 am but today is over. pic.twitter.com/B9piKBFDzB
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) September 12, 2018
Batman v Superman: Does the world need Superman?
Warner Bros: Nah
— Alex Leadbeater (@ADLeadbeater) September 12, 2018
And many people had one specific replacement in mind:
It’s time. #Superman pic.twitter.com/7nXGM1gKKm
— 𝙳𝚊𝚗 𝙷𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚊 (@DanHevia) September 12, 2018
That picture is just a photoshop of Nic Cage’s head on a doll’s body, but Nic Cage really did suit up for a shelved Superman project that sounds fittingly bonkers. You can see pictures of that costume test here, or check these out:
So…. Henry Cavill out, Nicolas Cage in?#Superman pic.twitter.com/MjmymW3ERB
— No Time To Dan (@Danburden1138) September 12, 2018
Henry Cavill is out as Superman? It's time to call in the one man born to play the Man of Steel. It's time for Nic Cage. https://t.co/jUQqEcw58i
— Rev. Mike Jones (@mikejonesradio) September 12, 2018
Some suggested other possible Superman replacements:
Cast Paul Giamatti as Superman you cowards
— pixelatedboat aka “mr tweets” (@pixelatedboat) September 12, 2018
We've got someone in mind for the next Superman… 😉 pic.twitter.com/GPxael0BDL
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 12, 2018
Okay Oscar Isaac as Batman.
Michael B Jordan as Superman.
And they show up in Justice League 2 and everyone proceeds as usual— Dani Fernandez (@msdanifernandez) September 13, 2018
Possible Superman replacements:
– Keanu
– Nic Cage
– Idris Elba
– Wonder Woman
– the guy who punched Richard Spencer
– Maxine Waters
– Moana
– the lady who gave Trump’s motorcade the finger— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) September 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/kibblesmith/status/1039893416329527297
Cast Geralt as Superman you cowards pic.twitter.com/moLlJ0HESS
— GameSpot (@GameSpot) September 12, 2018
everyone please join my change dot org petition to cast ben affleck as the new superman and henry cavill as the new batman
— goop dreams (@verbal_kunt) September 12, 2018
Others spun a conspiracy about how convenient it is that this news broke just as the ever-chipper Werner Herzog revealed he’s filmed scenes in a mystery franchise.
And Cavill has just exited as Superman. Coincidence? I THINK NOT. https://t.co/H9xM6Ce6F1
— Ross Miller 🍿🎬 (@rosstmiller) September 12, 2018
Some made a catty reference about another actor who was gone too soon, and an actor who’s managed to stick around without even being in a movie yet.
https://twitter.com/patrickhwillems/status/1039881046072942592
https://twitter.com/Arminies/status/1039903109332566019
People offered constructive criticism to Warner Brothers:
The DCEU will never work until they can solve an issue that doesn't get talked about a lot:
Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Superman, and Batman are four different characters.
No Justice League movie will work on a fundamental level until they spend time nailing that down.
— Ryan Broderick (@broderick) September 12, 2018
Warner Bros.
Your franchise is in shambles.
Make Superman black.
Destroy the internet.
Do it.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Do it.
— @hayesbrown.bsky.social (@HayesBrown) September 12, 2018
Here's a thought for the DC film universe: Stop trying to make it a freakin' universe. Focus on making good films that work in themselves.
— John Scalzi (@scalzi) September 12, 2018
Others offered support to Henry Cavill, who really did seem to do the best he could with what he was given:
https://twitter.com/rron007/status/1039876961613623296
Finally, people gave suggestions for what Cavill could do next:
It’d be hilarious if Marvel got Henry Cavill for Captain Britain in the MCU.
— ManaByte (@ManaByte) September 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/Nicole_Cliffe/status/1039889184805330944
(Hat tip to Blastr, Dorkly, We Got This Covered, and /r/DC_Cinematic)