Why Was Henry Cavill Replaced as Superman? All About the Actor’s Surprise Exit

For almost a decade, Henry Cavill was Superman.

The British actor — who made his debut as Clark Kent in the 2013 film Man of Steel — went on to reprise the role in 2016’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, 2017’s Justice League and the 2021 Zack Snyder cut of Justice League. 

Cavill previously expressed hope about continuing in the role, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2021 there was still “a lot of storytelling” left to do with the character. 

“As I always say,” he said, “the cape is still in the closet.”

But a year later, everything changed. In October 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn and Aquaman producer Peter Safran were named co-CEOs of DC Studios as part of a major leadership overhaul. The new team quickly unveiled a bold plan to reboot and unify the DC Universe, starting with Superman.

By the end of 2022, Cavill announced he would not be returning to the role after all. In 2023, Pearl star David Corenswet was cast as the next Superman for Gunn’s first film, which will be released in theaters on July 11.

So, why was Henry Cavill replaced as Superman? Here’s everything he and the new heads of DC Studios have said about his surprise exit from the franchise. 

Gunn and Safran took over DC Studios in October 2022

The same month that Cavill announced to fans that he would be reprising his role as Superman in a new film, Gunn and Safran were appointed as the new co-CEOs of DC Studios. 

However, in the weeks that followed, several previously announced DC projects were scrapped or put on hold, including Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman 3 and Cavill’s Superman. A live-action Batgirl was also canceled before Gunn and Safran stepped into their roles.

Gunn later warned fans in a post on X to expect a “transitional period” as they created a more cohesive story across the brand’s film, TV, animation and gaming projects.

“We know we are not going to make every single person happy every step of the way,” he wrote,  “but we can promise everything we do is done in the service of the STORY & in the service of the DC CHARACTERS we know you cherish and we have cherished our whole lives.”

Cavill didn’t have a written deal to return as Superman (even though he announced his return) 

After making a surprise, uncredited cameo in the Dwayne Johnson-led film Black Adam, Cavill said in an October 2022 Instagram video that he was officially “back as Superman.” However, The Hollywood Reporter alleged that the actor didn’t have a deal in place; only a verbal agreement with the studio for future projects. 

Two months later, he shared on Instagram that he would not be reprising the role. 

“I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone,” Cavill wrote. “I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn’t the easiest, but that’s life.”

He went on to say that the beloved action hero was “still around” and that “everything he stands for still exists.”

The Witcher star concluded his farewell message: “My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It’s been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards.”  

Gunn and Safran wanted Superman to be younger 

In a December 2022 post on X, Gunn said that because the movie will focus “on an earlier part of Superman’s life,” Cavill will not portray the character. Corenswet is a decade younger than Cavill.

Though Safran maintained to The Hollywood Reporter that the 2025 Superman isn’t “an origin story,” he said that it will show the action hero “balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.”

“He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way,” he said of the character. “He is kindness in a world that thinks that kindness is old-fashioned.”

Cavill said he respects the “changing of the guard”

Despite the obvious disappointment, Cavill noted in his December 2022 Instagram post that there are no hard feelings on his end toward Gunn and Safran. 

“The changing of the guard happens,” the actor wrote. “I respect that. James and Peter have a new universe to build. I wish them all the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.” 

Gunn said Cavill was “never cast” for the new Superman film

In response to criticism from fans over Cavill’s abrupt exit, Gunn clarified with The Hollywood Reporter that the actor wasn’t fired. 

“We didn’t fire Henry. Henry was never cast,” the director said. “For me, it’s about, ‘Who do I want to cast as Superman, and who do the filmmakers we have want to cast?’ And for me, for this story, it isn’t Henry.”

He continued, “I like Henry, I think he’s a great guy. I think he’s getting d—– around by a lot of people, including the former regime at this company. But this Superman is not Henry, for a number of reasons.”

Gunn teased a new DC role for Cavill in the future 

Cavill’s cape will remain in the closet — at least for now. Addressing the actor’s absence from the 2025 Superman, Gunn shared that he and Safran had met with Cavill and left the door open for future collaboration. 

“We’re big fans,” he wrote on X. “And we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.”