Henry Cavill Ought to Play One Of Superman’s Biggest Villains In James Gunn’s DC Sequel

The Superman sequel wants to incorporate Henry Cavill’s first function in James Gunn’s DCU as one of many Man of Metal’s biggest villains. Whereas it’s unclear when Superman 2 will occur, with James Gunn lately clarifying that he’s not but writing a direct sequel, there’s loads of room for hypothesis on the way it will form up.

Superman debuted to widespread acclaim on July 11, 2025. Because the DCU’s first film, rather a lot is driving on its success, as it might set the bar for upcoming DCU motion pictures. In that regard, the prognosis is fortunately trying constructive because it has absolutely helped to stoke anticipation for Supergirl, which is because of be launched on June 26, 2026.

After that, the DCU’s launch slate is not trying notably concrete. However, whereas the world waits for information on the DCU’s Batman and Marvel Girl, Superman 2 may very well be comparatively shut at hand, turning into the primary outright sequel to a Superman film since Christopher Reeve’s tenure within the Eighties.

Sadly, Henry Cavill, who portrayed Superman within the DCEU, by no means received to make Man of Metal earlier than DC’s first cinematic franchise ended. Now, followers are clamoring for the celebrated Superman actor to be recast within the new DCU, and Superman 2 may very well be the right stage for Cavill’s not-so-heroic return.

James Gunn Is Open To Casting Henry Cavill In A New DC Position

Fortunately, the primary hurdle for Henry Cavill’s return to DC motion pictures has already been cleared. James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios and the author and director of Superman, has already said that he’s open to recasting Henry Cavill in his new cinematic franchise on a number of events.

Gunn reconfirmed this place most lately on Pleased Unhappy Confused with Josh Horowitz. When addressing the topic of Henry Cavill and his sadly quite messy departure from the function of Superman, Gunn was requested whether or not it will be “too complicated” to have Cavill be a part of the DCU in one other function, to which the director responded with an emphatic “completely not.”

Horowitz: Wouldn’t it be too complicated to solid him in your DC Universe going ahead?

Gunn: No. As one other character?

Horowitz: Yeah.

Gunn: Completely not. No, I talked to him about it on that day. So, yeah, no I might like to put Henry in one thing, yeah.

Gunn even careworn that he had already broached the likelihood with Henry Cavill when he and fellow co-CEO Peter Safran sat down to talk with the actor concerning the DCU’s new course. Sadly, Gunn would not go on to trace at whether or not particular roles have been mentioned, however I’m sure that Superman 2 presents an unmissable alternative.

There’s 1 Particular Superman Villain Henry Cavill Ought to Play

Though it did so inside a decidedly distinctive setting, Henry Cavill’s Superman debut in Man of Metal retrod acquainted floor for the titular character. Like 1980’s celebrated superhero sequel, Superman II, Man of Metal pitted Superman in opposition to fellow Kryptonian Common Zod, who invades Earth with a morbid imaginative and prescient to show it into a brand new Krypton.

Greater than a decade later, Henry Cavill is now the right candidate to play Common Zod within the DCU. Now 42, Cavill is across the ideally suited age to painting the grizzled Kryptonian veteran, with Terrence Stamp being precisely the identical age when he performed the function in 1980 and Michael Shannon being just some years youthful in 2013.

Cavill can be now proficient in enjoying villains after his celebrated portrayal of August Walker in 2018’s Mission: Unimaginable – Fallout, the function that gave rise to the now-legendary “arm reload” transfer. Between this and his present construct, he might simply as convincingly painting an imposing Kryptonian villain as he did the hero in 2013 and past.

It could additionally assist to start out an entertaining pattern inside the DCU the place erstwhile DCEU heroes return in additional unscrupulous roles. As an example, Jason Momoa, who portrayed Aquaman within the DCEU, will seem because the violent villain/antihero Lobo in 2026’s Supergirl, and it will be becoming for Henry Cavill to comply with swimsuit.

Zod can be sufficient of a departure from Henry Cavill’s earlier DC function whereas concurrently paying homage to his tenure because the extra beloved Kryptonian, Superman. Whether or not James Gunn and Henry Cavill agree stays to be seen, however Cavill’s Zod would not less than be the right match for Superman 2.

Why Henry Cavill’s Zod Ought to Be the Villain Of Superman 2

Henry Cavill as Gus looking stern in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

One of many largest bombshells in Superman involved the titular hero’s origins. After working as Superman for a number of years below the impression that his organic mother and father despatched him there to guard humanity, Superman later learns that their true intentions have been a stark departure. As a substitute, Jor-El and Lara imparted to him a message to subjugate Earth and propagate his Kryptonian genes.

The revelation, which was led to by way of Lex Luthor and the Engineer’s assault on the Fortress of Solitude, sorely affected Superman and spurred him to behave nobly by way of his personal justifications. This surprising flip of occasions subsequently fell by the wayside in direction of the tip of Superman, as Superman opted to embrace his human upbringing as a substitute.

Superman 2 ought to decide up this thread and middle on Superman’s heritage and the guilt it engenders. In any case, humanity was fast to activate Superman as soon as Lex Luthor had seized maintain of the narrative utilizing his mother and father’ damaging message as leverage, and this presents a wealthy dichotomy for Superman to discover in future appearances.

Having a fellow Kryptonian seem whereas tackling this may be excellent timing. In actual fact, Zod’s motives in Man of Metal have been distinctly much like these introduced by Superman’s organic mother and father, and having him arrive to hold out their needs, the place Superman disowned them, appears too apt a chance to cross up.

Moreover, whereas Superman expertly navigated having Superman go up in opposition to a human adversary, Superman 2 might increase the stakes with an enemy that’s much more bodily highly effective than Superman. Regardless of the case, it’s unclear how shut Superman 2 is within the DCU’s launch schedule, so it will likely be some time earlier than its villain is confirmed.