Update, December 16, 2022: Henry Cavill’s unemployment era is over (remember, he said good-bye to both the DCU and The Witcher in the span of two days). Now he has a new job. The actor signed on to executive produce and star in the Warhammer 40,000 franchise across all Amazon Studios productions, according to a press release. The Warhammer universe launched nearly 40 years ago as a miniature wargame and has since expanded to sourcebooks, tabletop games, animations, novels, video games, and other licensed material. Amazon secured global rights to Warhammer, making it the first IP deal of its kind, and its scale, for the studio. As for the story itself — it’s set in an uncertain far future where alien empires threaten humankind and malevolent gods corrupt reality. Not to mention the age-old threat called human ambition.
With Cavill’s schedule clear after his departure from the DC Universe, fans hoped for a holiday miracle: the actor’s return to The Witcher, a leading role he vacated in October. That will not be the case. The fantasy series, now in its fourth season, will go forward as originally planned, Variety confirmed on December 15. Liam Hemsworth is set to take over Cavill’s former role as Geralt of Rivia. The ex-Superman played Geralt for the first three seasons of the show. So much for that wish.
Original story, published December 14, 2022, follows.
Good night, sweet space prince. May flights of Superdogs sing thee to thy rest. Henry Cavill announced on social media that he is officially no longer a part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s ten-year plan for the DCU. “I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone,†the former Man of Steel wrote. “I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October.†Cavill was stoic about the news, adding “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.†This week has been all about who is and isn’t involved with the new universe. Patty Jenkins isn’t, nor is Matt Reeves and RPattz’s Sad Batman.
It’s possible the already green-lit Sad Batman 2 will still be on the slate, if out of the continuity. We’’ll know more when the Gunn/Safran regime reveals their slate, something Gunn says will happen early next year. One thing def in the works: a Yung Superman story. “In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill,†Gunn tweeted. He also said that the door is still open for Cavill to put the cape back on later in the ten-year DCU plan. “[W]e’re big fans,†Gunn wrote, “and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future.â€