Henry Cavill has been fired from his role as Superman just days after the axe fell on Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman 3 amid a massive shake-up at Warner Bros.’ DC Films.
The British actor, 39, most recently has a cameo appearance as Superman at the end of Warner Bros. Black Adam, teasing a showdown between Superman and Dwayne Johnson‘s Black Adam.
That came just days before James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought on as the new heads of DC Films.
Fired: Henry Cavill has been fired from his role as Superman just days after the axe fell on Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman 3 amid a massive shake-up at Warner Bros.’ DC Films
Henry took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal the news to his 22.9 million followers that he will not be back as the Man of Steel on the big screen.
‘I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,’ he began.
He continued: ‘After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, 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.
Meeting: ‘I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,’ Cavill began
‘I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and happiest of fortunes.
The actor went on to address, ‘those who have been by my side through the years,’ adding, ‘we can mourn for a bit,’ before addressing the future of the franchise.
Henry said: ‘But then we must remember…. Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there!
‘Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there! My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It’s been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards!’
MailOnline takes a look back at the actors and actresses that either walked away or were let go from superhero movie roles.
ANDREW GARFIELD
Starring role: Andrew Garfield starred as Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel back in 2012 and 2014
Andrew Garfield starred as Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel back in 2012 and 2014.
Despite mixed responses to the films, a third movie was planned to continue to franchise.
Andrew was due to join Sony’s Kaz Hirai on stage to announce The Amazing Spider-Man 3’s release date in Rio De Janeiro.
Unfortunately, Andrew suffered from jet lag and sickness; thus being unable to make it to the event, which some report annoyed execs.
Then in 2015, a deal between the Marvel and Sony was reached that allows Spider-Man to be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This was the final nail in the coffin of the Amazing Spider-Man trilogy and the part was recast and given to Tom Holland, leaving Andrew ‘heartbroken’.
However, Andrew was able to return as the famous webslinger in Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021.
EDWARD NORTON
Recast: Edward Norton took on the role as Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk in 2008 but was replaced by Mark Ruffalo in the later MCU movies
Edward Norton took on the role as Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk in 2008 but was replaced by Mark Ruffalo in the later MCU movies.
Edward reportedly butted heads with Marvel Studios during the original film’s production and insisted on rewriting parts of the script.
He refused to promote the movie prior to its release, and in 2010 Marvel announced they would be recasting the part.
They said it was motivated by a ‘need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members.’
However, in October 2014, Edward claimed he chose never to play Hulk again because he ‘wanted more diversity’ with his career, and did not want to be associated with only one character.
TERRENCE HOWARD
First incarnation: The first Iron Man film had seen Terrence Howard take on the role of Tony Stark’s best friend
Fans were surprised when Iron Man 2 was released, to see Don Cheadle playing the role of James Rhodes.
The first Iron Man film had seen Terrence Howard take on the role of Tony Stark’s best friend.
Terrence claimed he had been fired and replaced due to monetary reasons, after a pay dispute.
He said he had a three-film deal that would see his salary upped from $4.5million to $8 million in the sequel.
However, when the sequel came around, Terrence claimed his part in the story was reduced and he was offered $1 million.
He also insinuated that there was a feud between himself and Robert Downey Jr telling Rolling Stone he had called the actor 17 times for help during the pay negotiations, and that Robert had never picked up.
SEAN YOUNG
Campaign: Sean Young had campaigned tirelessly to be cast in a Batman movie, so when she was given the role of Vicki Vale in Tim Burton’s Batman, she was delighted (pictured in 2018)
Sean Young had campaigned tirelessly to be cast in a Batman movie, so when she was given the role of Vicki Vale in Tim Burton’s Batman, she was delighted.
However, while practising for a horse riding scene, the actress fell and broke her arm.
Warner Bros. wasn’t willing to wait so they ended up moving forward without her, and recast the part with Kim Basinger.
Then things got worse, as Sean bizarrely turned up at Tim Burton’s office in her own very Catwoman outfit to do a unscheduled audition from him for Batman Returns.
He promptly had security remove her from the premises and the role later went to Michelle Pfeiffer.
DOUGRAY SCOTT
First in line: Everyone knows Hugh Jackman was born to play Wolverine, but before he took on the iconic role it was meant to go to Dougray Scott (pictured in November)
Everyone knows Hugh Jackman was born to play Wolverine, but before he took on the iconic role it was meant to go to Dougray Scott.
His casting had been made official and he was getting ready to start shooting before some unexpected scheduling conflicts
And the Scottish actor blames none other than Tom Cruise for missing out on the huge role.
They worked together on Mission: Impossible 2 in 2000 and after the movie went over its initial schedule, Tom insisted Dougray stick around to finish the project, meaning he lost out on the role of Wolverine..
‘Tom Cruise didn’t let me do it,’ he said. ‘We were doing Mission Impossible and he was like, “You’ve got to stay and finish the film” and I said I will, but I’ll go and do that as well. For whatever reason he said I couldn’t.’
He added, ‘He was a very powerful guy. Other people were doing everything to make it work.’
MICHAEL KEATON
Highly praised: Michael Keaton is widely considered one of the best Batman actors to take on the famous role
Michael Keaton is widely considered one of the best Batman actors to take on the famous role.
However, he only actually stuck around for two movies before deciding to walk away from the franchise.
The reasoning for the recasting of the character is not fully known, with many conflicting reports.
Some say Michael was fired after demanding a higher paid salary, while others say he left voluntarily after reading the script.
Michael himself blamed creative differences for his departure, and that he didn’t enjoy the fame that came with playing the Caped Crusader.
However, he was due to return to the role in Batgirl, before it was abruptly scrapped.
MICHELLE PFEIFFER
Incredible: Michelle Pfeiffer really made the part of Catwoman her own, and blew audiences away in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns in 1992
Michelle Pfeiffer really made the part of Catwoman her own, and blew audiences away in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns in 1992.
She was so good that she was originally set to star in her own spin-off solo film, before the plug was unceremoniously pulled on the project.
Michelle herself said: ‘I loved that part. I felt like I was just getting comfortable and getting used to the claws and the mask, just figuring out how to move in all of that. There was a little bit of talk about that, then that kind of faded away.’
Warner Bros. shelved the project for over a decade and then cast Halle Berry as Catwoman instead, in a film that became a commercial and critical failure.
VAL KILMER
Single film: Another actor to take on the role of Batman was Val Kilmer, who appeared in Batman Forever, but failed to return for Batman and Robin
Another actor to take on the role of Batman was Val Kilmer, who appeared in Batman Forever, but failed to return for Batman and Robin.
Director Joel Schumacher saidin 1996, that Val ‘sort of quit, we sort of fired him’ after the actor clashed repeatedly with the production team during filming on Batman Forever.
It was also rumoured that Kilmer quit when he learned it was due to begin shooting less than a month after he’d be done working on The Saint.
In 2017, however, Schumacher said that the Batman world tour “really went to [Kilmer’s] head.”
He went on to claim the actor later wanted to work on the 1996 version of The Island of Dr. Moreau because Marlon Brando was starring in it, so he ‘dropped us at the eleventh hour.’
Strained relationship: Director Joel Schumacher saidin 1996, that Val ‘sort of quit, we sort of fired him’ after the actor clashed repeatedly with the production team during filming on Batman Forever (pictured)
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