It’s probably time for DC cinematic universe to rope other actors to play Superman and Batman. Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, who starred previously as the popular superheroes, are reportedly calling it quits.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cavill, who first appeared as the superhero in 2013’s Man of Steel, and later reprised his role in Superman V Batman and last year’s Justice League, is parting ways with Warner Bros.
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According to insiders, the development comes after talks of Cavill’s cameo in Shazam! did not come to fruition due to scheduling conflicts. “There’s a recognition that some parts of the previous movies didn’t work,” says the studio insider.
Another source says Warners is trying to hit a “reset” button with the DC universe.
Talks are on to find a new face for the beloved superhero. “Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors,” a studio source told The Hollywood Reporter.
The decision solidified as Cavill recently signed on to star in Netflix’s The Witcher. However, another source reveals that the series commitment came after the impasse with Warners, suggesting a change in the studio’s strategy. It is being said the studio has shifted its focus to a Supergirl movie, which will be an origin story featuring a teen superheroine, which effectively removes an actor of Cavill’s age from the storyline as Superman, aka Kal-El, would be an infant, according to DC lore.
The studio will not make a solo Superman film for at least several years. It is being said that, Ben Affleck would also depart his DCEU role as Batman, as a new, probably younger actor expected to take on the mantle in Matt Reeves’ stand-alone film on the Caped Crusader.
Read more: Ben Affleck heads to rehab for the third time for alcoholism
Meanwhile, Affleck, who has been dealing with alcohol addiction for a long time, has headed back to rehab for treatment. The 46-year-old actor has long struggled with alcoholism. He has earlier been to rehab in 2001 and 2017. Following an intervention by his former wife Jennifer Garner, Affleck has checked into rehab.
-With agency inputs