The Superman sequel needs to include Henry Cavill’s first role in James Gunn’s DCU as one of the Man of Steel’s greatest villains. While it is unclear when Superman 2 will happen, with James Gunn recently clarifying that he is not yet writing a direct sequel, there is plenty of room for speculation on how it will shape up.
Superman debuted to widespread acclaim on July 11, 2025. As the DCU’s first movie, a lot is riding on its success, as it may set the bar for upcoming DCU movies. In that regard, the prognosis is thankfully looking positive as it has surely helped to stoke anticipation for Supergirl, which is due to be released on June 26, 2026.
After that, the DCU’s release slate isn’t looking particularly concrete. Nevertheless, while the world waits for news on the DCU’s Batman and Wonder Woman, Superman 2 could be relatively close at hand, becoming the first outright sequel to a Superman movie since Christopher Reeve’s tenure in the 1980s.
Sadly, Henry Cavill, who portrayed Superman in the DCEU, never got to make Man of Steel before DC’s first cinematic franchise ended. Now, fans are clamoring for the celebrated Superman actor to be recast in the new DCU, and Superman 2 could be the perfect stage for Cavill’s not-so-heroic return.
James Gunn Is Open To Casting Henry Cavill In A New DC Role
Thankfully, the first hurdle for Henry Cavill’s return to DC movies has already been cleared. James Gunn, the co-CEO of DC Studios and the writer and director of Superman, has already stated that he is open to recasting Henry Cavill in his new cinematic franchise on multiple occasions.
Gunn reconfirmed this position most recently on Happy Sad Confused with Josh Horowitz. When addressing the subject of Henry Cavill and his unfortunately rather messy departure from the role of Superman, Gunn was asked whether it would be “too confusing” to have Cavill join the DCU in another role, to which the director responded with an emphatic “absolutely not.”
Horowitz: Would it be too confusing to cast him in your DC Universe going forward?
Gunn: No. As another character?
Horowitz: Yeah.
Gunn: Absolutely not. No, I talked to him about it on that day. So, yeah, no I would love to put Henry in something, yeah.
Gunn even stressed that he had already broached the possibility with Henry Cavill when he and fellow co-CEO Peter Safran sat down to speak with the actor about the DCU’s new direction. Unfortunately, Gunn doesn’t go on to hint at whether specific roles were discussed, but I am certain that Superman 2 presents an unmissable opportunity.
There’s 1 Specific Superman Villain Henry Cavill Should Play
Although it did so within a decidedly unique setting, Henry Cavill’s Superman debut in Man of Steel retrod familiar ground for the titular character. Like 1980’s celebrated superhero sequel, Superman II, Man of Steel pitted Superman against fellow Kryptonian General Zod, who invades Earth with a morbid vision to turn it into a new Krypton.
More than a decade later, Henry Cavill is now the perfect candidate to play General Zod in the DCU. Now 42, Cavill is around the ideal age to portray the grizzled Kryptonian veteran, with Terrence Stamp being exactly the same age when he played the role in 1980 and Michael Shannon being just a few years younger in 2013.
Cavill is also now proficient in playing villains after his celebrated portrayal of August Walker in 2018’s Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the role that gave rise to the now-legendary “arm reload” move. Between this and his current build, he could just as convincingly portray an imposing Kryptonian villain as he did the hero in 2013 and beyond.
It would also help to start an entertaining trend within the DCU where erstwhile DCEU heroes return in more unscrupulous roles. For instance, Jason Momoa, who portrayed Aquaman in the DCEU, will appear as the violent villain/antihero Lobo in 2026’s Supergirl, and it would be fitting for Henry Cavill to follow suit.
Zod would be enough of a departure from Henry Cavill’s previous DC role while simultaneously paying homage to his tenure as the more beloved Kryptonian, Superman. Whether James Gunn and Henry Cavill agree remains to be seen, but Cavill’s Zod would at least be the perfect fit for Superman 2.
Why Henry Cavill’s Zod Should Be the Villain Of Superman 2
One of the biggest bombshells in Superman concerned the titular hero’s origins. After operating as Superman for several years under the impression that his biological parents sent him there to protect humanity, Superman later learns that their true intentions were a stark departure. Instead, Jor-El and Lara imparted to him a message to subjugate Earth and propagate his Kryptonian genes.
The revelation, which was brought about via Lex Luthor and the Engineer’s attack on the Fortress of Solitude, sorely affected Superman and spurred him to act nobly through his own justifications. This shocking turn of events subsequently fell by the wayside towards the end of Superman, as Superman opted to embrace his human upbringing instead.
Superman 2 should pick up this thread and center on Superman’s heritage and the guilt it engenders. After all, humanity was quick to turn on Superman once Lex Luthor had seized hold of the narrative using his parents’ destructive message as leverage, and this presents a rich dichotomy for Superman to explore in future appearances.
Having a fellow Kryptonian appear while tackling this would be perfect timing. In fact, Zod’s motives in Man of Steel were distinctly similar to those presented by Superman’s biological parents, and having him arrive to carry out their wishes, where Superman disowned them, seems too apt an opportunity to pass up.
Furthermore, while Superman expertly navigated having Superman go up against a human adversary, Superman 2 could raise the stakes with an enemy that is even more physically powerful than Superman. Whatever the case, it is unclear how close Superman 2 is in the DCU’s release schedule, so it will be a while before its villain is confirmed.
Superman
9/10
- Release Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Producers
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Peter Safran
