Justice League director Zack Snyder calls Henry Cavill “our” Superman in a post released just after a Superman reboot movie was reported. Snyder’s cut of Justice League is due for release in just under three weeks on HBO Max, more than three years since the original theatrical version, which was overseen by replacement director Joss Whedon, was released. Snyder’s Superman is played by Henry Cavill, who first played the role in 2013’s Man of Steel, and will be seen in the black suit using heat vision in the Snyder Cut.
Cavill is reportedly keen to return as Superman at some point in the future, even if Warner Bros. and DC aren’t as keen. Today’s report that a J.J. Abrams-produced Superman reboot movie is in development with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates attached seems to confirm, though, that his version of the character has either been retired, or at least put on the backburner. The new Superman movie will reportedly introduce a black Man of Steel, a first for the big screen, and something that would definitely rule out Cavill’s return, at least in that movie.
Just after the announcement, Snyder took to social media to post a picture of Cavill as Superman, and the caption seems to reference the new development. In the accompanying caption, Snyder calls Cavill “our” Superman, perhaps a not-so-subtle nod to the recasting reports. He does mention that the image has been shared in preparation for tomorrow’s Justice League panel at the IGN fan fest, so the timing could just be a coincidence.
Whether he meant to or not, though, Snyder’s word usage makes it seem like he’s referring to Friday’s report, and it would certainly be a surprise if he hadn’t heard the news, not only because of his connection to DC and Warner Bros., but also simply because the news of the Superman reboot movie was immediately big news all over the world. Of course, if it is a reference to the recasting, it’s likely not a dig at the new movie.