Why the rumors of Henry Cavill could give a new start to Superman and DC

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Henry Cavill's enigmatic response to the rumors that he hung on his Superman cloak sparked fan reactions ranging from "I'm so confused" to "not leaving us".

His video on Instagram stares at him in the camera, slowly raises and lowers a canned Superman doll, while the Blue Danube – which features barking dogs – plays in the background.

He follows The Hollywood Reporter saying that the British actor "separates from Warner Bros."

Warner did not confirm the story.

"Although no decision has been made regarding the forthcoming Superman films, we have always had great respect and an excellent relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged," they said in a statement. at CNN.

Anna Smith, film critic and president of the Circle of Critics, told the BBC that if the speculations about Cavill's departure were true, she "would like to imagine that it's because he's preparing the role of James Bond ".

She added, "DC's films have squandered his gift for a suave comedy, which we saw in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and that would take Bond back to the old school (without sexism, I hope)."

What happened, if any?

Hollywood Reporter has suggested that negotiations with Cavill have failed on programming issues for an appearance in the upcoming Shazam! Movie, about a teenager who turns into a superhero.

However, the director of the actor, Dany Garcia, hinted that this information could be premature, urging fans to "be peaceful, the cape is still in his closet."

Many fans wanted to stay in the role.

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Speculation has been called "a ridiculous rumor", with other comments such as "the hope that you stay as Superman, if not the next Bond. Ur incredible actor".

One of them said: "I decided to move to Marvel … because Henry Cavill is the only reason I become a DC fan …"

Some, however, had other ideas.

The BBC asked the representatives of Warners and Cavill to comment.

Why would Superman need a restart?

IGN Entertainment Editor-in-Chief Scott Collura wrote, "It's foolish, if not surprising, that Warner Bros has no Superman."

He said that Warner Bros. "does not know what to do with the man of steel".

"With Cavill apparently, and [Batman actor] Ben Affleck says he's ready to hang up the cape and cap, Warners and the people behind the DC movies have the opportunity to restart the series, "he added.

DC may be looking for a major shift for Superman after the resounding success of Wonder Woman, which smashed box office records last year and will be followed by a much-awaited sequel.

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Cavill's steel man "made good business hits" in 2013 but "studio expectations were higher," according to Forbes.

Things did not improve with the 2016 edition of Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, which sparked a mixed critical response and was perceived as a gloomy disappointment and financial disappointment, according to Deadline Hollywood.

Keep going until the Justice League 2017, powered by a team of DC Comics superheroes looking for some of the huge popularity of Avengers' overall films.

But the Justice League, with a cast including Cavill, Affleck, and Gal Gadot, was an "undeniable failure," according to Forbes, because it "has not recovered its costs."

Anna Smith adds, "In recent years, DC has struggled to compete with the power of Marvel movies – the Avengers gang is much more sunny and teen-friendly, while Superman movies struggle to find the right balance frankly dark.

"Wonder Woman has hit a much more exciting and exciting tone (and in the hands of a director, take note!)."

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Forbes concluded, "If you are Warner Bros, you can not simply ignore the fact that your Superman has repeatedly failed to meet expectations from a critical, financial or high-profile point of view."

What could happen next?

Deadline reports that this could be an opportunity to shift attention from DC to Supergirl, while continuing to make Gadot's success as a Wonder Woman, with its next sequel in 1984 (beware of these flocked hairstyles).

Another upcoming film from the DC stable will be Aquaman, with Jason Momoa of Game of Thrones in the role of Arthur Curry, who learns that he is the heir to the underwater realm d & # 39; Atlantis.

And of course Shazam! is also planned for next year.

These movies are brighter than their Superman / Batman predecessors.

Who could replace Cavill as a Superman, did he really hang up his cloak?

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Deadline reports that Michael B Jordan of Black Panther could be in the running for the role, while bookmaker William Hill is touting Colin O 'Donoghue, followed by Sam Claflin, Armie Hamer, Tatum Channing, Cillian Murphy and Donald Glover.

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