Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane! It’s Henry Cavill’s Superman again — finally.
Before reading on, I warn you that there might be some spoilers for the latest DC Comics flick “Black Adam” in this article.
Henry Cavill has stated that he’s officially “back as Superman,” continuing to promise that more is yet to come. “Thank you for your support and thank you for your patience,” Cavill said in an Instagram post earlier today. “I promise it will be rewarded.”
Nearly a decade has passed since the last solo Superman movie and many fans have been losing faith in seeing Henry Cavill return to the role. However recent news of the English actor’s reprisal has been announced and a sequel to “Man of Steel” is officially in the works at Warner Bros. Discovery, according to an article by The Hollywood Reporter.
The news of a sequel came on the red booted spoiler-filled heels of Cavill’s mid-credit appearance in “Black Adam,” a new block buster DC epic from Warner Bros. Discovery staring Dwayne Johnson in the title role. Johnson has admitted to advocating for Cavill’s return during a red carpet premier of the movie.
“The whole goal and initiative of ‘Black Adam’ was to build out the DC Universe by introducing not only Black Adam, but the entire [Justice Society of America], five new superhero characters in one movie.” said Johnson to an Entertainment Tonight reporter.
Johnson continued to state that his associated studio Seven Bucks Productions has an “ethos” that they adhere to, and that’s always listening to the audience.
“We’ve established ‘Black Adam’ as an unstoppable force on our planet, but the fans have been so passionate about, as we have been, ‘where’s the most unstoppable force in the universe? Where is he?’ Well, just like I fought hard for ‘Black Adam’ for 15 years, Danny [Garcia] has been fighting for six years, Hiram [Garcia] has been fighting for six years… 15 years,” Johnson continued. “We’ve all been fighting for this moment. So I will say this: welcome home.”
It seems like an entire lifetime has passed since we saw Henry’s red cape and hope for his return wained faster than a speeding bullet. Even though we saw the Man of Steel in 2021’s “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” little faith was held for one of the favorite portrayals of the character to make another appearance.
Henry was first cast in the role of Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman in late 2011 and played the character in four DC Comics inspired films: “Man of Steel” (2013), “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016), the theatrical flop “Justice League” (2017) and the director’s cut “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” (2021).
Though critics have either loved or hated the previously mentioned films, there was always one constant — Henry Cavill shinned as Superman.
In an interview with the All Star Superfan Podcast Superman comic legend Dan Jurgens, writer and artist of the landmark “Superman no.75” and an instrumental voice in “The Death of Superman” saga, told podcast cohosts Rob O’Connor and Alan Burke that he loved Cavill’s rendition.
“Christopher Reeve, I thought, absolutely nailed it, I thought he was perfect as Superman,” said Jurgens answering who his favorite Superman is. “I would also say by the same token that Henry Cavill is an absolutely spectacular Superman as well.”
Jurgens continued to state that Cavill has this sense of presence to him.
“I think this is what always has to be understood, weather you’re drawing the character or trying to portray the character,” said Jurgens. “When I draw Superman, I always want him to have a sense of presence in the room within the panel. In terms of his body language, how other characters look at him and react to him, etc.”
Jurgens continued by stating that only two live action versions of Superman come to mind when it comes to Superman’s “presence.”
“I think Christopher Reeve was able to capture that on film,” said Jurgens. “And I think Henry Cavill does as well.”
The famed DC Comics artist beamed about the English actor on the series, pointing out that the feeling if Superman’s presence is “integral” to the character’s true portrayal.
“It’s a hard thing to explain, but that sense of presence, it’s intelligible, but I know it when I see it,” stated Jurgens.
Though Cavill has officially been confirmed to wear the red cape once more, no word on Amy Adams’ Lois Lane has been shared and, with Ezra Miller facing litigious action for crimes and accusations against them, the future of the DC cinematic realm is still a bit turbulent. There’s still no established Batman, the film franchise doesn’t have a creative head, and many titles like “Batgirl” are being scrapped or cancelled.
Yes, Cavill’s return to Superman does grant fans a glimmer of hope for the role. But the lengthy time without him and other characters, and with only headless cameos to feed us, DC fans remain starved for their favorites and are found pondering over one concerning, yearning question: would it make more sense to build off of what’s already out there, or would it be better to scrap everything and start anew?
Only time will tell where the newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery will take us. Let’s just hope it’s up, up and away from here.
