Why Henry Cavill isn’t returning as Superman in James Gunn’s new vision

Following the publication of Superman’s first official teaser, fans are wondering what happened to star Henry Cavill. 

James Gunn’s vision for the Man of Steel, Superman, will debut as the first theatrical feature under DC Studios’ new company on July 11, 2025.

Despite Henry Cavill’s impassioned comeback announcement in 2022, newcomer David Corenswet, not Cavill, will play the eponymous role.

DC Studios chose to replace Henry Cavill with a new Superman star for a variety of reasons.

Superman director and DC Studios co-head James Gunn stated on X (previously Twitter) that “Henry Cavill will not play the character.”

“Superman is one of the characters on the slate. Our plot will first focus on an earlier period in Superman’s life; thus, Henry Cavill will not play the character.

This is not to suggest that the origin narrative of 2025’s Superman is similar to that of Smallville. Gunn later stated on Threads that “I was never making a ‘young Superman’ movie, just a Superman movie.”

Gunn’s Superman centers on a distinct era of the hero’s life compared to the DCU’s depiction. As a result, this new spin will require a new face, most likely a younger actor than Henry Cavill.

Replacing Henry Cavill gives DC Studios a fresh start for both this film and the rebooted DC Universe that James Gunn and Peter Safran aim to establish.

If Cavill had been cast, he would have come with the baggage and limitations of the DCEU canon.

And, certainly, while DC Studios could have announced a total reboot with the established actor, the general public would still be confused, given Cavill’s age and his portrayal of an early-era Superman.

Another factor that could impact the recast is Henry Cavill’s salary, likely to increase due to his name recognition and profession. Corenswet, on the other hand, is less well-known and would likely command a lower price.

James Gunn’s previous ventures, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Peacemaker, and The Suicide Squad, demonstrate his ability to not only develop and direct but also recruit talented actors to complement his vision.

For this Superman story, James Gunn most likely needed to find his own Superman, which should allay fan concerns over DC’s decision to cast Corenswet over Cavill.