It’s been almost a decade since Henry Cavill debuted as Superman in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013). The film was a win-win for both Cavill and Warner Bros. Pictures. The former got praise and acclaim for his portrayal, which had a unique sense of darkness. In turn, the studio had a profitable Superman venture with the film. But since then, the studio has been unable to find a way for a Man of Steel sequel due to its ever-changing plans for the franchise, DC Extended Universe.

Henry Cavill has only appeared in three films since then, besides his character being referenced here and there. However, it’s been a long since he has donned the cape to expand Superman’s lore from the comics. The studio’s measures to reverse its drastic decisions from the past concerning DCEU have kept the original storyline in limbo. But, in light of the recent events, the possibility of Cavill returning as the mighty Kryptonian has become more logical than ever.

And Ben Affleck’s continuous involvement in the franchise is the most significant reason for that. Affleck is returning as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the Aquaman sequel. And his potential reinstatement as the DCEU’s caped crusader means that Henry Cavill’s Superman may still be somewhere around.

WB Can’t Let Go of Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck as Batman in Justice League
Warner Bros.

Ben Affleck entered the DCEU in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. After Justice League (2017) failed, DC Films scrapped plans for Ben Affleck’s solo Batman movie, later repurposed as The Batman starring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader. Ben Affleck eventually decided to step down from the role following The Flash, which he described as a perfect pavement for his exit from the franchise. The Flash supposedly will rewrite DCEU so that Ben’s iteration of Batman will be erased from DCEU’s timeline via a multiversal event. Though these speculations are refuted, Affleck always assured that The Flash would be his last as Gotham’s knight.

Now, he is set to reprise his role in Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, bringing us to how Henry Cavill may still be in play to reprise his role as Superman.

Ben Affleck’s Return Means DCEU Is Still In Snyder’s Universe

Henry Cavill as Superman, surrounded by civilians, in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016).
Warner Bros. Pictures

Both Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck are part of the DCEU that Snyder began with Man of Steel. Though things were tough when Affleck’s departure was inevitable after The Flash, his return opens up new possibilities. The casting suggests that DC Films is still putting the stories within a universe where Affleck is Batman. Therefore, it’s the same universe where Cavill is Superman.

Related: Kevin Smith Shares Details Behind Scrapped Nicolas Cage Superman Project

It doesn’t mean that the studio is reinstating Snyder’s vision. Still, there’s a possibility that his ideas won’t entirely be erased, thus opening opportunities for Superman stories to come in some shape. The recent changes in Michael Keaton’s planned appearances in the franchise further solidify that the old narratives from early films are still in effect in the DCEU.

WB Cancels Batgirl

Leslie Grace as Batgirl
Warner Bros. Pictures

Batgirl was supposed to star Michael Keaton as Batman alongside characters integrally a part of DCEU, such as J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Gordon. Per recently reported plot details of the movie, Batgirl was supposed to release after The Flash. The latter would have replaced Affleck with Keaton as DCEU’s Batman. But, now that the film stands canceled, the replacement is off the charts. In fact, Ben Affleck has probably replaced Michael Keaton in Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom, successfully reinstating his portrayal of Batman in the franchise.

Could this mean that Warner Bros. and DC Films want to sustain the original timeline of films in this continuity? Possibly. And that could mean that the speculations about Henry Cavill’s return could become fruitful now that stories like Shazam and Black Adam are expanding the DC Multiverse.

Is Superman vs. Black Adam Now a Possibility?

The Rock Has Always Envisioned a Showdown Between Black Adam and Superman

Fans were hoping for Henry Cavill to announce Man of Steel 2 at the SDCC 2022. Neither that happened, nor were there any confirmations for the character to appear in the upcoming Black Adam. But, Dwayne Johnson has pushed for a Superman-Black Adam showdown. Though the character isn’t set to appear in the forthcoming Black Adam movie, Dwayne Johnson says that showdown is still inevitable. And if that’s supposed to happen, it would be better if Johnson face-offs Cavill in this anticipated crossover, unlike his recent hint about Cavill not reprising his role in the future installments.

Henry Cavill Remains DCEU’s Superman, But WB Can’t Figure Him Out

A scene from Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice
Warner Bros.

Although Cavill hasn’t appeared in a substantial project since Justice League, his presence has always been referenced. His iteration of Superman made a stand-in cameo in Shazam! More recently, he made a silhouette appearance in The Suicide Squad spin-off, Peacemaker. In the latter, the silhouette appeared with Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller, indicating that it’s the same league as shown in both Justice League and the Snyder Cut.

Cavill himself has not been called to come back because of DC Films’ unorganized plans concerning Superman. The studio discussed Michael B. Jordan’s Superman project and another with J.J. Abrams earlier. Supergirl was supposedly a spin-off of Man of Steel, which hasn’t moved anywhere. And then, of course, there is the multiverse, which tends to bring variant versions of characters to the mainstream.

Related: DC Animated Movies: A Guide to What's Coming in 2022-2023

Warner Bros. and DC Films are currently struggling to bring DCEU stories to a consensus and merge them into a definitive continuity. Since Superman is a prominent IP at DC and a film centered on him would require significant financial and creative commitment, they’ve kept Cavill at a distance, probably waiting for the right time.

Is Cavill’s Return Plausible?

Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel with his cape billowing
Warner Bros.

If the studio retains Ben Affleck and successfully reinstates him, the chances for Henry Cavill’s return as Superman strengthens. These are speculations, but fans are on Cavill’s side, and his portrayal has become more beloved among the audience. Henry Cavill, since then, has gone on to bring The Witcher’s Geralt of Rivia to life and become a frontrunner to take over James Bond from Daniel Craig amid other well-executed performances. There couldn’t be a better time to have Cavill back as Superman as his popularity is at its highest, given he is the face of multiple successful franchises.

There are fewer chances that Superman’s arc would continue from where Snyder left it in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Still, it could continue from the theatrical version of that film. The movie itself was a disaster, but what if it could continue into something better with a new creative team? The possibilities are endless, and the hype is stronger than ever. Would the studio take a chance?

Warner Bros. and DC have just announced a 10-year plan for the franchise. The studio revealed intentions to revitalize the primary IPs, including Superman. The only unclear thing is which iteration of Superman they are talking about. Zack Snyder’s original plans are already disbanded, so Henry Cavill’s version of the Kryptonian hero is slightly in danger of being dropped. But, with Cavill’s mass appeal at its best, it would be better if Cavill came back alongside Ben Affleck to continue the franchise’s storyline.