Latest news with #Cavill
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
James Gunn admits Henry Cavill's Superman firing was 'terrible'
James Gunn has opened up on the 'really unfair' way Henry Cavill was fired from DC and his role as Superman. The Witcher star first appeared as the caped superhero in 2013's Man of Steel before starring as Superman in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He also appeared in Zack Snyder's Justice League in 2021 and made a cameo appearance in 2022's Black Adam. Cavill announced in 2022 he would be returning to the role in Gunn's reimagining of the franchise, only to walk back on his comments months later when he was let go by DC. Superman, released earlier this month, stars Pearl actor David Corenswet in the titular role instead. Recalling the incident, Gunn condemned DC Studios for their handling of Cavill's role in the film. 'It's terrible – believe it or not, the day we were dealing with trying to figure out if we could take the job at DC Studios, the day the deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back,' he told the Happy Sad Confused podcast. 'I was like, 'What is going on? We know what the plan is. The plan was to come in and do Superman. It was really unfair to him and a total bummer.' 'There was a vacuum at the time and a lot of people had a take on what they wanted to do at DC and they were trying to force their way and it was just never part of the equation.' He went on to say the situation was 'really unfortunate' and he felt for the 'poor guy', but that Cavill took the news like an 'absolute gentleman.' 'He said, 'The only thing I ask is that I'm able to reveal it myself as opposed to coming from you guys.' And I'm like, 'That's a class act',' he continued. Gunn also said he would love to have Cavill in a future DC film, revealing he 'talked to him about it on that day.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Cavill shared the news he would not be returning in an Instagram post, writing: '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. 'The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes.' Gunn's Superman was released on July 11 and currently holds an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with several glowing reviews. It sees Corenswet's Superman drawn into conflict and the public questioning his actions, giving tech billionaire Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) the opportunity to rid the world of Superman for good. On taking on the role and being propelled from a relative unknown actor to one of the world's most recognisable superheroes, Corenswet opened up to Metro about how he handled the news. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'Oh, I just played solitaire by myself and panicked quietly,' he said on the red carpet at London's Superman Fan Event. 'No, I had the opportunity to tell about six or seven people who I was close to and just kind of relished in this one hour where I had a big secret that nobody else knew about,' he continued. 'It's a rare moment in life, so I tried to be present with it and not be too overwhelmed. 'I got to tell my wife and a couple of family members and then just sat in a chair and waited for the news to break.' Thankfully, once David's not-so-secret identity had been exposed, he could rely on other actors who've slipped into Superman's red Speedos for advice. 'I was lucky enough to exchange letters with Tyler Hoechlin and Henry Cavill, two fellas who have played Superman before me,' he explained. Despite initial backlash over Cavill being replaced, Corenswet appears to have won fans over with his appearance in Gunn's Superman. More Trending 'There aren't enough words to describe just how much I love david corenswet as superman, and just how much of a masterpiece superman (2025) is,' Cntarogothic wrote on X. 'The thing is, sure, Henry Cavill played Superman, but David Corenswet IS Superman. Just, straight up,' Noodles_and_tea added. StacyH90 admitted: 'I was a big fan of Henry Cavill's Superman, and was bummed when it was clear we weren't getting more of him. But hot dayum David Corenswet really holds his own! He IS Superman! The man that could kill us all w/ a twitch of a finger but chooses to do good, saving squirrels too.' Cree reasoned: 'Henry Cavill and David Corenswet are both great Supermen who embody different ideals of the character and liking one more doesn't mean you have to hate the other'. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Legendary sci-fi film dubbed 'one of the best ever made' streaming for free MORE: 'Worst film ever' ripped apart by critics in one-star reviews MORE: I Know What You Did Last Summer star left sobbing over original actor's 'iconic' return
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
James Gunn recalls booting Henry Cavill from Superman role: 'Poor guy'
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's ... not Henry Cavill. In an episode of the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast released on Friday, July 18, "Superman" director James Gunn reflected on the "terrible" experience of telling Cavill he was being replaced as Superman by David Corenswet for the new movie. Gunn said he sat down with the actor to break the news in 2022. At the time, Cavill had recently returned as Superman for a surprise cameo in the DC movie "Black Adam," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. After that film was released in October 2022, Cavill announced on social media that he was "back as Superman" and would reprise the role in future movies. But on "Happy Sad Confused," Gunn revealed that the same day Cavill's return was announced, he and producer Peter Safran closed a deal to take over as the heads of DC Studios. Behind the scenes, the pair had already been planning to reboot Superman and replace Cavill, who had played the character going back to 2013's "Man of Steel." "The day our deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back, and I'm like, 'What is going on? We know what the plan is.' The plan was to come in and do 'Superman,' " Gunn said. "So it was really unfair to him, and it was a total bummer." Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox He added, "That was really unfortunate. I'm like, 'This poor guy.' " Gunn noted that bringing back Cavill was "never a part of the equation" for David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, DC Studios' parent company. But Gunn said there was a "vacuum" in leadership at DC, and "a lot of people" were "trying to force" through their vision for the future of the franchise. He did not name names, though, noting he was trying to be "as diplomatic as possible." During his 2022 meeting with Cavill, Gunn said the actor was an "absolute gentleman" and a "great guy about it," only asking that he be able to share the news that he was being replaced as Superman himself. Cavill did so in December 2022, when he posted a statement on Instagram revealing that he "will, after all, not be returning as Superman." "After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to (Gunn and Safran's) hire, this news isn't the easiest, but that's life," Cavill told fans. "The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that." In posts on X at the time, Gunn said that Cavill would not star in the next "Superman" movie because the film would focus on "an earlier part of" the character's life. Corenswet, who at 32 is 10 years younger than Cavill, was ultimately cast in the lead role of "Superman." The movie is positioned as the start of a relaunched DC universe, set in a world separate from the one that Cavill's Superman occupied. Johnson, the star of "Black Adam," has previously said he played a major role in bringing Cavill back for his cameo in the 2022 film. "At the end of the day, the studio was not bringing Henry Cavill back, inexplicably and inexcusably," the actor said in a video on social media in 2022. "But we weren't going to take no for an answer." But just because Cavill is out as Superman doesn't mean his time with DC is over. Gunn said on "Happy Sad Confused" that Cavill could play another character in the new DC universe − just as "Aquaman" star Jason Momoa will play a new character, Lobo, in 2026's "Supergirl." "I talked to him about it on that day," Gunn said. "I would love to put Henry in something."
NDTV
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
James Gunn On Replacing Henry Cavill In Superman: "It Was Really Unfair..."
Washington DC: Following the success of 'Superman', director James Gunn opened up on how he convinced Henry Cavill to sit out from the 'Superman' film franchise ahead of casting David Cornswet in the latest DC Studios' superhero project. During a recent appearance on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, as quoted by Variety, the "Superman" director explained that as his deal to take over DC Studios was finalised, it was announced that Cavill would reprise his role as the Man of Steel. However, according to Gunn, it was already decided that he would helm a new 'Superman' film with a new actor, which created an "unfair" situation for Cavill. "The day our [DC] deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back. And I'm like, 'What is going on?' We know what the plan is. The plan was to come in and do 'Superman.' So it was really unfair to him and a total bummer," said Gunn as quoted by Variety. Gunn added that the miscommunication was due to a sector of the studio trying to "force" their own vision of DC, which was "never part of the equation." To solve the misunderstanding, the director decided to disclose the truth to Henry Cavill by talking to him. "So, that was really unfortunate. Peter and I [thought] the right thing to do was to sit down with [Cavill] and talk to him. And we sat down and we talked to him. He was an absolute gentleman, a great guy about it. He said, 'The only thing I ask is that I'm able to reveal it myself as opposed to it coming from you guys,'" said James Gunn as quoted by Variety. Gunn also hinted at the possibility of casting Henry Cavill in future DCU movies. While Cavill starred as the Man of Steel across three DC films from 2013 to 2017, David Corenswet took over the role for Gunn's DCU debut feature 'Superman,' which released July 11. Other cast members for that film include Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner) and Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl). The film has garnered positive reviews from critics and viewers alike.
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
'It was really unfair to him': James Gunn on replacing Henry Cavill in Superman film franchise
Washington DC [US], July 20 (ANI): Following the success of 'Superman', director James Gunn opened up on how he convinced Henry Cavill to sit out from the 'Superman' film franchise ahead of casting David Cornswet in the latest DC Studios' superhero project. During a recent appearance on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, as quoted by Variety, the "Superman" director explained that as his deal to take over DC Studios was finalised, it was announced that Cavill would reprise his role as the Man of Steel. However, according to Gunn, it was already decided that he would helm a new 'Superman' film with a new actor, which created an "unfair" situation for Cavill. "The day our [DC] deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back. And I'm like, 'What is going on?' We know what the plan is. The plan was to come in and do 'Superman.' So it was really unfair to him and a total bummer," said Gunn as quoted by Variety. Gunn added that the miscommunication was due to a sector of the studio trying to "force" their own vision of DC, which was "never part of the equation." To solve the misunderstanding, the director decided to disclose the truth to Henry Cavill by talking to him. "So, that was really unfortunate. Peter and I [thought] the right thing to do was to sit down with [Cavill] and talk to him. And we sat down and we talked to him. He was an absolute gentleman, a great guy about it. He said, 'The only thing I ask is that I'm able to reveal it myself as opposed to it coming from you guys,'" said James Gunn as quoted by Variety. Gunn also hinted at the possibility of casting Henry Cavill in future DCU movies. While Cavill starred as the Man of Steel across three DC films from 2013 to 2017, David Corenswet took over the role for Gunn's DCU debut feature 'Superman,' which released July 11. Other cast members for that film include Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner) and Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl). The film has garnered positive reviews from critics and viewers alike. (ANI)
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
James Gunn on Henry Cavill's Superman exit: 'It was really unfair to him and a total bummer'
As actor David Corenswet has donned the iconic red cape in James Gunn's upcoming 'Superman' film, fans of the DC Universe may still have reason to hope for the return of Henry Cavill—just not as Clark Kent. In a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, DC Studios co-head James Gunn opened up about the difficult conversation he had with Cavill when he and Peter Safran took over the reins of DC Studios in 2022. Reflecting on the situation, Gunn revealed his admiration for Cavill and left the door open for the actor's future in the franchise. 'It's terrible. Believe it or not, the day we were dealing with trying to figure out if we could take the job at DC Studios,' recalled Gunn. 'The day the deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back. And I was like, 'What is going on? We know what the plan is. The plan was to come in and do Superman.' It was really unfair to him and a total bummer.' According to Gunn, the circumstances surrounding their appointment were less than ideal, with various competing visions for the DC brand at the time. 'There was a vacuum at the time and a lot of people were… They had a take on what they wanted to do at DC and they were trying to force their way and it was just never part of the equation for [WBD CEO] David Zaslav,' said Gunn. 'We came in, and that was really unfortunate. I'm like, 'This poor guy.'' Despite the upheaval, Gunn emphasised Cavill's professionalism and grace when they informed him of the decision to move in a different direction. 'He was an absolute gentleman and a great guy about it,' Gunn shared. 'He said, 'The only thing I ask is that I'm able to reveal it myself as opposed to coming from you guys.' And I'm like, 'That's a class act.'' Though Cavill will not be reprising his role as Superman, Gunn confirmed discussions were had about future opportunities within the restructured DCU. 'I talked to him about it on that day. I would love to put Henry in something,' said Gunn. The upcoming 'Superman' film, starring Corenswet, will be the first official instalment of the new DC Universe, kicking off its 'Gods and Monsters' phase under the creative vision of Gunn and Safran. While Cavill's time as the Man of Steel may be over, fans can still hold out hope for his return to the DC world in a brand-new role.
