Henry Cavill Still Wants to Play Superman, And He Knows What Story He Wants to Tell

Despite being perhaps the oldest superhero franchise, people still love Superman, a lot. One of those people, it seems, is the actor who portrayed him in three movies for Warner Bros but left the role. Well, thanks to a fan who met and talked with the star, we know that Henry Cavill still wants to play Superman on the big screen. This report, first shared on Twitter, ended up picked up by the entertainment and mainstream press. However, many of the headlines hyped up the story by saying that Cavill would return as Superman only if the studio met a his “one condition.” This is, at best, a misinterpretation of what was reported or, at worst, an outright lie. What is true is that Henry Cavill still wants to play Superman, grouping him in with legions of fans who want the Man of Steel to take flight once more.

Since the removal of Zach Snyder from the Justice League film in favor of Avengers-helmer Joss Whedon, the future of the DC Extended Universe is in flux. Wonder Woman and Aquaman are two powerful franchises with sequels on the way. The Batman, however, is undergoing a reboot and an actor change. (Though, to paraphrase Jay from Jay & Silent Bob, “Affleck you the bomb as Batman, yo!”) Finally, Ezra Miller’s take on The Flash seems to be stuck in development hell, as attention turns to further Shazam Family movies. In September of 2018, THR reported that Henry Cavill’s cameo in Shazam wouldn’t happen and cast doubt on his future in the cape and shield. However, according to a fan who met Cavill at Comic-Con, there may be more to Superman’s story.

The Source and What Henry Cavill Said About Superman

I still can't believe I ran into Henry Cavill and HE talked Superman and video games with me for a long time. Unreal! The guy is a class act! #manofsteel #superman #sdcc #sdcc50 pic.twitter.com/iM5pHgE6B0

— Roger Roecken (@i6Hitman) July 22, 2019

Roger Roecken, a graphic designer, video creator, and podcaster, ran into Cavill at what looks like a pub or restaurant. Calling the Superman star a “class act,” he casually mentioned what they discussed during their encounter, including that he brought up Superman with him. Cavill neither confirmed or denied rumors that his time with D.C. is up and neither have his official spokespeople. Yet, according to Roecken, the deal may not be as “done” as reports suggested. According him, in reply to another Twitter user’s question, Henry Cavill still wants to play Superman. The condition is not as stringent as the headlines suggest. Merely, Cavill said he wants to film a Man of Steel sequel that delves into how Superman feels about his awesome power.

He said he still wants to play superman. Wants a sequel to Man of Steel. Wants to explore how it effects someone with absolute power, so many stories to tell what makes him tick

— Roger Roecken (@i6Hitman) July 24, 2019

So, while that detail is what most focus on, the implication of this statement is that Cavill essentially confirms he’s done with Warner Bros., at least as far as Superman is concerned. However, Roecken took to Twitter to clarify that Cavill confirmed no such thing. He wrote that if he implied that Cavill’s time as the character came to an end, it’s because he read an article from Forbes saying the actor’s contract expired. The Superman and Witcher star never said he would be finished with the role, and, in fact, Roecken’s discussion with him seems to suggest he’s not. If anything, this report sends a signal to Warner Bros, that if they still want him as Superman they only have to ask. Though, it seems while he still wants to play Superman, Henry Cavill prefers to do it in a movie with only Superman in it.

So apparently this tweet is being reported on by some news outlets. Please read below for clarification. It seems some things were taken out of context #HenryCavill #ManofSteel2 #sdcc #sdcc50 pic.twitter.com/4npLWOLzqO

— Roger Roecken (@i6Hitman) July 25, 2019

Henry Cavill Still Wants to Play Superman, But Will They Let Him?

For fans of Cavill’s Man of Steel, this is great news. It also seems to fit more with what Warner Bros. wants to do after their Justice League movie failed to impress the way they hoped. The focus turned towards individual superhero stories like Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the like. So, telling a Superman story without other heroes in it, fits that agenda. This could be the beginning of the Superman franchise they always wanted. At the very least, it gives Henry Cavill one more shot at the character so he can end his tenure on a high note. Frankly, at this point, Warner Bros. would be foolish not to take the actor up on the offer.

Of course, the introspective and complicated story Henry Cavill wants to play as Superman, still feels more like the “Snyder-verse” version of the character. Die-hard fans complained that Cavill’s take on the character leaned too into the complexity, not making him the solidly moral hero he usually is. They might want a Superman film that feels more like Chris Evans’s portrayal of Captain America or Christopher Reeves’s take on Krypton’s Last Son. Still, Cavill is an excellent Superman, and in lieu of admitting failure, giving him one more story might be exactly what the studio and the character need.

What do you think? Henry Cavill still wants to play Superman, but do you still want to see him do it? Tell us in the comments below or by sharing the article on social media.

Joshua M. Patton is a father, veteran, and writer living in Pittsburgh, PA. The first books he read on his own were comics, and he's loved the medium ever since. He is the greatest star-pilot in the galaxy, a cunning warrior, and a good friend. His book "What I Learned: Stories, Essays, and More" is available in print from Amazon and from all electronic booksellers.