…so says Hollywood Reporter.

According to a bombshell that would definitely rock the barely breathing DC Extended Universe, Henry Cavill, who has worn the iconic blue tights sans the red briefs for three movies is ‘parting ways with Warner Bros.’.

Having played Superman and Clark Kent in three movies – Man of Steel, Batman Vs. Superman and Justice League – the Brit’s days as Superman appear to be over as Warner Brothers sought for a different direction with their superhero movies. Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the studio ‘has shifted its focus to a Supergirl movie, which will be an origin story featuring a teen superheroine.’

Timeline-wise, this would deem Superman’s appearance not necessary based on DC lore. Fans who hope to see Cavill’s cameo in the upcoming Shazam! movie would also be disappointed to know that chances of having him make a brief appearance in the movie which stars Zachary Levi as the title character may have been scuppered due to a breakdown in talks between his representatives and Warner.

As a nail on the coffin, a studio source claims that Warner isn’t likely to produce a solo Superman movie in the next few years. “Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors,” claimed the same source.

While some may suggest that Cavill, who was recently announced to star in Netflix’s The Witcher TV series may have made a major call leading to him leaving his iconic role, another source claims that Cavill’s Witcher commitment came after the Warner’s decision to drop him.

“There’s a recognition that some parts of the previous movies didn’t work,” says a Warner studio insider. Another source also claims that Warner is trying reset the DC Extended Universe for a totally new course.

Recasting Superman is just another episode of Warner and DC shooting themselves on the foot in a bit trying to play catchup to Disney and the MCU. It’s clear that the Shazam! movie is set in the same universe as Cavill’s Superman. With Superman well and alive the last time we saw him at the end of Justice League, we struggle to comprehend their decision-making; even more with the positive trend DCEU movies has been on lately.

Do you think they jumped the gun, or is it time for Warner and DC to reinvent their cinematic universe in order to compete with the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

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