Zack Snyder's New Henry Cavill Superman Post Has James Gunn Fans Fuming
With the DCEU consigned to history, Zack Snyder is keeping the mythos alive on Instagram, dropping fresh behind-the-scenes shots—including a new glimpse of Henry Cavill back in the Superman suit.
Zack Snyder posted another throwback Superman shot on Instagram and, surprise, the internet has feelings. If you have whiplash from the whole Snyderverse-to-DCU transition, you are not alone. Here is what actually happened, what James Gunn has said, and where Henry Cavill might still fit in.
Snyder hits Instagram nostalgia again
Even with the DCEU officially in the rearview, Snyder has been on a streak sharing behind-the-scenes pics of his DC era. The latest: Henry Cavill suited up as Superman. It is a pure nostalgia play, and it did exactly what you think it would do — reignited the ongoing fan scuffle between Snyder loyalists and the newer Gunn crowd now riding with the DCU at Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Cavill question: Is there still a path back?
Quick rewind. After Snyder stepped away and the DCEU was limping to the finish line, Cavill briefly looked like he was back in the cape. Then James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as co-CEOs of DC Studios, and that was that for Cavill as the Man of Steel.
Gunn has talked about this directly. On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he said telling Cavill he was not part of the new DCU was rough. He also made it clear that while his Superman is moving on, he does want to work with Cavill inside the DCU in some capacity.
'Absolutely not... I would I would love to put Henry in something.'
Translation: Not Superman, but Gunn is open to Cavill showing up elsewhere. And with Peacemaker Season 2 teeing up the DCU multiverse, there is a non-zero chance we see Cavill again — maybe a cameo, maybe another role. Nothing guaranteed, but the door is not locked.
Why Gunn's DCU is connecting right now
With Superman out and reviewed, the whole 'superhero fatigue' thing looks a lot less fatal if you deliver the goods. Gunn's movie outpaced Marvel's The Fantastic Four: First Steps at the box office, and audiences have clearly vibed with the tonal reset — a modern riff on the Golden Age flavor instead of the DCEU's darker, heavier mood. It also helps that the MCU has been wobbling a bit, so the DCU's mix of sincerity, emotion, and a little goofiness feels fresh instead of flimsy.
Superman at a glance
- Director: James Gunn
- Major cast: David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Nathan Fillion
- Rotten Tomatoes: 83% critics, 90% audience
- Box office: $615 million
Where this leaves Cavill (and the fandom slapfight)
Snyder tossing a Cavill Superman pic into the feed is going to rile people up — that is the ecosystem. But if you strip out the noise, the facts are simple: Cavill is not Gunn's Superman, yet Gunn still wants him in the sandbox. With the multiverse now officially in play, there are plenty of ways to make that happen without breaking the new continuity.
Man of Steel and Superman are now streaming on HBO Max (US).
Snyder fans vs. Gunn fans — where do you land? Hit the comments and be honest.