Cavill as Ultraman?! The Twist That Could SAVE the DCU!

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Although Henry Cavill may no longer embody Superman in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, there remains a potential opportunity for his presence that could propel the movie to unprecedented heights. The circumstances surrounding Cavill’s departure as Superman have been notoriously sad and contentious, with the fate of his DCEU Superman character left unresolved for several years following the underwhelming box office performance of Justice League (2017). However, the 2021 release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League director’s cut transformed that disappointment into a success and sparked renewed enthusiasm for Cavill’s Superman, ultimately leading to his official reprisal of the role in the end-credits scene of Black Adam (2022). Unfortunately, only two months later, James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, announced that Cavill would not be rejoining the DCU franchise.

It’s understandable how James Gunn’s new Superman and the overall DCU haven’t been warmly received by fans of Henry Cavill’s Superman or Zack Snyder’s DCEU, due to the cancellation of Cavill’s return as Superman. However, there remains a significant air of secrecy surrounding the DCU, with one intriguing enigma being the identity of Ultraman, a masked antagonist in the upcoming movie, whose face is hidden by his suit in set photos. This mystery might hold a surprising solution, hinting that Henry Cavill could be the person wearing Ultraman’s mask.

Ultraman Explained & Why Henry Cavill Could Work As Superman’s Version of the Character

Essentially, Ultraman is a malevolent character similar to Superman but hailing from an alternate universe known as Earth-3. Unlike the heroic Superman, Ultraman embodies villainy in this realm, where the inhabitants are evil versions of DC’s primary heroes. Given that he possesses all the typical powers of a Kryptonian, Ultraman presents a significant threat and challenge for the Man of Steel to confront.

In the movie “Superman” directed by James Gunn, it’s clear that Ultraman is portrayed as a figure in a containment suit, sporting a U-shaped emblem on his chest. However, the specific details of his role are still shrouded in mystery. It’s possible that he could be a soldier under someone else’s control, perhaps Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, who brings him into the DC Universe as a character capable of challenging Superman. If he manages to break free from this control, he might turn into a villain, causing trouble that Superman must stop. The concept of “pocket universes” is said to be significant in both “Superman” and the upcoming season 2 of “Peacemaker”. This could mean that Gunn is introducing a powerful villain for Superman, one who is not unlike Zack Snyder’s introduction of General Zod in “Man of Steel”, and who could make the DC Universe’s multiverse immediately significant and crucial to its future development.

In another twist, a malevolent Ultraman could be played by various actors who have previously taken on the Superman role, such as Dean Cain, Tom Welling, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin, or even David Corenswet’s predecessor, Henry Cavill. Introducing Cavill as Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman movie could be a surprising move, much like a nuclear blast. However, some might contend that introducing Cavill into the film would blur the lines between his Superman and the DCEU, which could be problematic given the DCU’s aim to establish its own identity. Yet, history shows us that attempting to separate the two universes may prove challenging, if not impossible.

DC Films Haven’t Escaped the Snyderverse (& Never Will)

Since Warner Bros. decided to significantly alter the Justice League movie in 2017 with extensive reshoots, they’ve been trying, in various ways, to separate their DC films from Zack Snyder’s influence. However, the Snyderverse has had quite the opposite effect since then, particularly after the successful fan campaign for the Snyder Cut resulted in the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. During this period, even those who criticized Snyder’s Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice have grown more favorable towards his vision. Many still express a desire to see Snyder’s story come to its end. The overwhelming response on social media, such as the 1.5 million #RestoreTheSnyderVerse tweets on March 25th, 2021, just after the release of the Snyder Cut, is proof that there’s a renewed interest and affection for Snyder’s overall plans.

Over the course of DC films since the theatrical release of Justice League, it’s been challenging for Warner Bros. to shake off Snyder’s mark or influence. During the years 2018 to 2020, demands for the Snyder Cut echoed over every DC movie, and interest in the remaining parts of his plans, such as Justice League 3, have persisted as a significant force that DC has struggled to distance itself from. The disappointing cancellation of Henry Cavill’s Superman return in Black Adam has only served to bolster the legacy of the Snyderverse as the DC Universe readies for its start, and in an unexpected move, even James Gunn himself brought Snyder’s DCEU back into focus by sharing a friendly photo with Snyder on DC Studios’ social media, where he referred to Snyder as “an exceptional director, and twice exceptional storyteller”.

The buzz around Snyder returning to DC films continues, despite no solid evidence, and it’s clear that the photo of Snyder and Gunn caused quite a stir – something they both must have known would happen. With nearly a decade of efforts to move DC away from the Snyderverse failing, the idea of Henry Cavill making an unexpected appearance as Ultraman in James Gunn’s Superman film is also looking unlikely but not entirely impossible. As the DC Universe progresses, it seems more and more likely that it will remain unaffected by the Snyderverse, but if Cavill were to appear as Ultraman in Gunn’s movie, it could suggest that they are ready to acknowledge and embrace this reality.

Why Henry Cavill’s Ultraman Would Be the Perfect Twist for James Gunn’s Superman

Instead of starting afresh, Gunn’s plans for the DCU don’t follow a typical reboot path. Rather, he’s carrying over several characters, projects, and plotlines from the DCEU into the DCU. For instance, in Season 2 of ‘Peacemaker’, there will be clarification about the connection between the two universes, such as explaining why the Justice League’s appearance in Season 1 of ‘Peacemaker’ is only relevant to that season and the DCEU. Additionally, the concept of pocket universes in ‘Superman’ and the DCU, along with Ultraman’s multiversal nature, make it plausible, even groundbreaking, for Henry Cavill to portray Ultraman in the DCU’s debut.

Initially suggesting Henry Cavill as Ultraman following his departure from the Superman role in 2022 could be a daring move reminiscent of Andy Kaufman’s antics, instantly captivating audiences and making the upcoming Superman film an unmissable event. In a single stroke, Cavill’s potential appearance as Ultraman would heal the rifts caused by his exit and the controversial start of the DCU, turning it into a must-watch franchise for fans of Snyder, Cavill, Gunn, DC, and general audiences alike. Everyone would be eager to know the details behind this unexpected twist, making them wonder “How?” and “Why?” as soon as possible. The only course of action would be to embrace whatever James Gunn has planned for the DCU, particularly given the hints that Cavill might return after seemingly concluding his Superman stint, in a universe where multiple universes, pocket dimensions, and Elseworlds projects are all possibilities. It’s important to note that long-time Snyderverse fans, who have endured years of anticipation and disappointment, would certainly take notice.

If Henry Cavill portrays Ultraman in the DCEU, it sparks curiosity about other DCEU actors reprising their roles in different capacities. For instance, Aquaman’s Jason Momoa is rumored to play Lobo in the DCU, and Cavill stepping into Ultraman could signal a pattern where Gal Gadot might return as Circe, Wonder Woman’s nemesis, Ezra Miller could appear as the Reverse-Flash (or fulfill the Barry meeting Barry scene from the CW’s Crisis On Infinite Earths), Ben Affleck could put on a new cowl as Owlman, or any number of DCEU veterans switching from their heroic roles to villains or anti-heroes. This trend makes the DCU an exciting mainstream event not just for fans eager to see character swaps but also for those curious about the eventual payoffs, with Gunn likely holding back information until the perfect moment, thereby keeping audiences engaged for the long term to discover the outcome.

[NEXT: Explaining the Dangers of a DCU Shared Universe]

Essentially, if Henry Cavill indeed appears as Ultraman, it would signify a significant shift for DC fans who have been yearning for a consistent direction from the studio since the post-Snyder era. The previous leadership of WB was often indecisive and unclear about the future of the DCEU, leading to constant alterations, changes in planning, and no clear indication of an overarching storyline. Cavill as Ultraman would not only rebuild goodwill towards DC and WB but also show that the DCU has a well-defined path it intends to follow, and is committed to completing this journey. Moreover, it would be an enticing call for fans to join in and see what exciting destinations Cavill’s Ultraman role might lead to.

In a stunning turn of events, it’s speculated that Henry Cavill might secretly play Ultraman in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film. This unexpected twist would take meticulous planning and Cavill’s agreement to sign numerous confidentiality agreements for the deception to succeed. If this happens, unveiling Henry Cavill as Ultraman could be the jaw-dropping climax that kicks off the first significant installment of the DC Universe.

You can watch movies like “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” on HBO Max, while James Gunn’s new take on Superman will hit theaters on July 11th.

Dawn of Justice,” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” streaming on HBO Max, while James Gunn’s new interpretation of Superman will be shown in theaters starting July 11th.

Or, for a more conversational approach:

Hop on over to HBO Max and catch “Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” if you’re in the mood for some superhero action! As for James Gunn’s new Superman movie, it will be premiering in theaters on July 11th.

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2025-05-30 21:19