James Gunn Signed With DC Studios The Day They Announced Henry Cavill's Return

Dan Lalonde
Jul 19
2 min read

Updated: Jul 19

Henry Cavill Dwayne Johnson DC Studio James Gunn

Do you remember where you were the day in October 2022, when Henry Cavill announced on his Instagram his return as Superman to the DCEU (starting with Black Adam)? I was saving a family from a sinking ocean liner. And well, James Gunn certainly remembers too. He and Peter Safran just signed on with Warner Bros. to lead DC Studios on the very same day.

In an interview with the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Gunn explained everything that happened:

“We were dealing with trying to figure out if we could take the job at DC Studios and we’re talking to David Zaslav (CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery) and talking to all the legal people there and figuring out what our deals would be. And the day our deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back and I’m like ‘What is going on?’” he added. “We know what the plan is. The plan was to come in and do ‘Superman.’”

Dwayne Johnson was slammed by fans for not appearing as Black Adam in Shazam 2, which some said may have been the death of the DCEU. Johnson reportedly tried to force his way into running DC and to set up a Black Adam vs Superman film by having Cavill cameo in the post-credit scene of his film.

Gunn elaborated, "There was a vacuum at the time and a lot of people were...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 Zaslan."

I personally would have preferred they kept Henry Cavill but since no one but my therapist cares about what I think, Gunn was forced to meet with Cavill and give him the bad news.

"We came in, and that was really unfortunate. I’m like, 'This poor guy.' [Henry] was an absolute gentleman and a great guy about it. He said, 'The only thing I ask is that I’m able to reveal it myself as opposed to coming from you guys.' And I’m like, 'That’s a class act.'"

But could he see Cavill return as another superhero?

Gunn finished, "I talked to him about it on that day. I would love to put Henry in something."

So do you wish Dwayne Johnson had been in Shazam 2? Who do you think Cavill could be in the DCU? Or would you rather see him in the MCU? Comment below with your thoughts.