Does the end of Black Adam signal a return of the Man of Steel? Well, here’s all you need to know about Henry Cavill’s cameo in the movie.
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The post-credit scene of DC’s latest live-action superhero blockbuster Black Adam featured the return of a familiar face greeting the new guardian of Kahndaq. The Man of Steel approaches Black Adam, saying that the two of them should have a talk, likely in reference to the events of the film and Black Adam’s re-emergence into the world of superheroes.
With the less-than-ideal performance of Black Adam at the box office and a James-Gunn-led reboot of DC properties that confirms the exit of Henry Cavill from the role, fans and audiences are left wondering what the fate of Superman will be and whether he will return for future DC film roles?
The Reboot & Henry Cavill
Unfortunately, Henry Cavill will not return as Superman in future titles. With James Gunn’s planned reboot of the DC cinematic universe, it has been confirmed that a new, younger actor will be chosen to play the Man of Steel. Henry Cavill himself has been reported to be leading and starring in a Warhammer 40K series for Amazon, a franchise the actor has actively expressed his love for. Henry Cavill confirmed his departure from the Superman role on his Instagram account, relating that he is leaving on good terms and that the idea of a possible role in future DC projects, likely as another character, is not off the table.
The actor’s seemingly permanent departure from the role of Superman has saddened and upset many fans, as Mr. Cavill’s performance and appearance have been described by many as the perfect live-action adaptation of the iconic comic book character. With his brief appearance in Black Adam likely being the final appearance of his version of the character, fans have expressed disappointment at not being able to see him play that role in one final live-action film in a starring role.
The Future of Superman
With the exit of Henry Cavill and confirmation of a new actor being sought out for a rebooted universe, it will likely be several years before the Man of Steel graces audiences with a live-action presence on the big screen. The long-in-the-works Flash film is still undergoing re-shoots and re-working from changing leadership at Warner Bros, the in-the-works James Gunn reboot, and issues regarding lead Flash actor Ezra Miller. Moreover, it is set to be the final film in the current DC cinematic universe. With word of Henry Cavill’s appearance in this film being cut, Warner Bros will likely wait and see how that movie is received before green-lighting any future Superman or superhero films in general, except for The Batman and the Joker, which have cemented themselves as cultural and box office darlings among the public.
While the movie screen fate of Superman may be stuck in development limbo, the television series Superman & Lois is entering its third season on the CW network, having been well received by fans and critics as a solid portrayal of the Man of Steel on the small screen. While we wait with bated breath for the future of big-screen Superman heroics, the Man of Tomorrow is still going strong in comic panels, novels, animation, and television, with more than enough hope and action to keep us satiated until DC can deliver a large scale epic in theaters.
