Actor Henry Cavill confirms he will not return as Superman

Henry Cavill, 39, said that he will not be returning as Superman in the new DC movie. Photo: Handout

Henry Cavill, who portrayed Superman in recent DC films, has announced that he will not be returning as the Man of Steel.

The 39-year-old British actor broke the news today on Instagram after a meeting with DC Studio’s new bosses, James Gunn and Peter Safran.

“I will, after all, not be returning as Superman. 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,” he wrote.

Although Cavill was saddened by the news, he respected Gunn and Safran’s decision and wished them luck.

He also stressed that Superman will continue to exist in the DC universe, and that it is fine for fans to mourn his departure.

“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,” Cavill wrote.

Earlier this morning (Dec 15), Gunn – who helmed Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy trilogy – announced on Twitter that he and Safran have finalised a DC slate which will be announced at the beginning of 2023.

His tweet read: “Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on the earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill.”

Cavill has played Superman since the 2013 movie Man Of Steel. He last appeared in the role in a cameo in this year's film Black Adam.