Superman fans have quickly taken to social media to share their disappointment (and in some cases pure, untethered rage) following the news that Man of Steel star Henry Cavill will not return to the DC role after all. It has been quite the turn of events, with Cavill and newly appointed DC chief James Gunn taking to social media to reveal that, despite the tease at the end of Black Adam, Superman will be rebooted for the DCU, with a new actor donning the red cape. Needless to say, some DC fans are not happy.

Cavill has now released a statement regarding hanging up the cape…again. “I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,” Cavill begins, before demonstrating once again why so many DC fans want him to remain as the Man of Steel. “For those who have been by my side through the years….. we can mourn for a bit, but then we must remember…. Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there! My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It’s been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards.”

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Cavill announced his return as Superman just this October, with the actor wearing the iconic suit once again for a post-credits cameo at the end of Black Adam. It seems that this was all way too premature, with James Gunn now writing a reboot with the intention of casting another actor. While some fans have shared their disappointment and sympathy for Cavill, others can understand why Gunn and Peter Safran felt the need to start again.

While we wait and see who will play Superman now that Henry Cavill’s tenure as the character is well-and-truly, some fans already have an idea…

Will the DCU Ever Stop Being a Bit of a Mess?

     Warner Bros. Pictures/DC

With some fans left feeling genuinely upset following the news that Cavill will not be Superman in the DCU, others have taken to social media to simply mock and muse over whether the franchise will ever find its way and stop being the mess that it has been for far too long.

While there will be many who disagree with the decision made by James Gunn and Peter Safran, the Guardians of the Galaxy director is clearly putting a lot of thought into giving the Superman character the franchise he deserves. “Superman is a huge priority, if not the biggest priority,” Gunn said recently regarding how the DC icon will factor into his DCU plans.

“In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill,” Gunn has so far revealed regarding their plans for the Man of Steel reboot. “But we just had a great meeting with Henry and we’re big fans and we talked about a number of exciting possibilities to work together in the future."

Here’s hoping that he can deliver and assuage the concerns of many a Superman fan.