Henry Cavill Returns As a Different Superman in This Dark DCU Fan Art

by

Despite the introduction of David Corenswet as the new Superman, many fans still hope to see Henry Cavill return to the role in the revamped DC Universe. Cavill first played Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel, launching the DC Extended Universe and becoming the face of Zack Snyder’s darker take on DC films. While his portrayal of a more complex and realistic Superman sparked debate among viewers in films like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, and Black Adam, it wasn’t enough to ensure the success of the DCEU.

As a movie critic, I was really excited when Henry Cavill showed up in Black Adam – it felt like we were finally getting back on track for a Man of Steel sequel. Sadly, the arrival of James Gunn and Peter Safran as heads of DC Studios put those plans to bed with their decision to reboot everything into the DCU. But hope isn’t entirely lost! There’s still a buzz that Cavill could find a new place in this universe, and some fantastic fan art I saw on Instagram from @subi.ozil got me thinking. It envisions him as Absolute Superman, a darker, more battle-worn version of the character that debuted in the comics recently. Honestly, that would be a really interesting and fun direction for Cavill to take the role – a great twist on what we’ve seen before.

Why Henry Cavill Would Be Perfect As the DCU’s Absolute Superman

Even early on, the new DC Universe (DCU) has started to explore the idea of multiple universes, especially in the Peacemaker series with the introduction of the Quantum Unfolding Chamber. This concept will continue to be central to the DCU, as Peacemaker (John Cena) is now stranded on an alternate Earth called Salvation. This sets the stage for different versions of Superman to appear, potentially including one from the Absolute Universe. This also creates an opportunity for Henry Cavill to return as an older, tougher, and more seasoned Superman.

Absolute Superman first appeared in DC Comics on November 6, 2024. He grew up on Krypton, a society divided by social classes, and came to Earth as an adult after his home planet was destroyed. He soon clashed with Ra’s al Ghul and the Lazarus Corporation, fighting them for years and becoming a popular hero known as Superman, all while being pursued by Peacemaker. This Superman is a significant departure from the original, first introduced in 1938, and would offer Henry Cavill a chance to portray a more complex and nuanced character.

I’ve been following James Gunn’s updates on the new DCU, and he’s mentioned several times, even recently as late as July 2025, that he’d really like to find a role for Henry Cavill. He’s said Cavill would be amazing as a different kind of Superman! We’ve already seen David Corenswet shine as Superman since his debut in 2025, and I’m so hyped to see what Gunn has planned for him and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor in Man of Tomorrow and beyond. Honestly, as a fan, it would be incredible to see Henry get another chance to play a hero after feeling overlooked in the old DCEU.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/feature/james-gunns-next-superman-villain-is-finally-delivering-on-the-promise-of-henry-cavills-man-of-steel-2/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-28 22:42