James Gunn Reflects on Henry Cavill’s Reaction to Superman Recasting: “This Poor Guy”

As DC Studios ushers in a new era of the DC Universe with David Corenswet donning the iconic Superman cape, the transition from Henry Cavill has been a subject of much discussion among fans. Recently, James Gunn, co-chair of DC Studios, opened up about the difficult moment he and Peter Safran had to deliver the news to Cavill that he would no longer play Clark Kent in the franchise—recounting with sympathy the actor’s gracious response.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Gunn recalled the chaotic day when the deal to helm DC Studios was finalized. “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,’” Gunn said. He described the situation as “really unfair to him and a total bummer.”

Gunn elaborated on the atmosphere at DC prior to their arrival in 2022, noting a “vacuum” and many competing ideas for the direction of the franchise. “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. We came in, and that was really unfortunate. I’m like, ‘This poor guy.’”

Despite the challenging circumstances, Gunn praised Cavill’s professionalism and humility. When he and Safran sat down with the actor to break the news, Cavill requested to reveal the change himself, rather than have it announced by the studio. “He was an absolute gentleman and a great guy about it,” Gunn said. “That’s a class act.”

While David Corenswet now takes center stage as Superman, Gunn expressed enthusiasm about including Cavill in the evolving DC Universe. “I talked to him about it on that day. I would love to put Henry in something,” he shared, hinting at potential future roles.

Superman is the first installment in the new “Gods and Monsters” phase of DCU under Gunn and Safran’s leadership, marking a fresh chapter for the franchise. Yet, the thoughtful handling of Cavill’s departure underscores the respect and camaraderie behind the scenes, even amid major creative shifts.

For fans of Henry Cavill, this reassurance offers hope that the beloved actor’s story with DC is far from over, even as the Man of Steel’s mantle passes on to a new generation.