It’s a new year but it’s also safe to say fans still feel burned by the dismissal of Henry Cavill from Superman and the DCU. Announcing his return in a video after so much hype and teasing that built to Black Adam, the actor didn’t get to bask at the moment for long as plans changed and he was unceremoniously let go.
Superman (Henry Cavill) introduces himself to Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) in Black Adam (2022) via Warner Bros. Pictures
This decision was made by the new guard at DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran, who were willing to give Cavill a new part but they are heading in a new direction with the Man of Steel. Gunn, sticking to his guns, addressed critics of his decision-making in a series of social media posts referring to them as a small segment of “obnoxious” fandom.
Doing so, naturally, didn’t quell their wrath and the segment of fandom — small or not — continued to roast Gunn and stand up for Cavill who in an entire decade never got a fair chance to play the Superman they know he can be. Some made their thoughts known on YouTube and one of the most outspoken in recent weeks was reviewer Angry Joe.
I mean he's got a good point 😬@AngryJoeShowpic.twitter.com/lPwX7UyEQD
— Aaron S Bailey 🚀⚡ (@AaronBaileyArt) December 15, 2022
The isolated key moment above sums up a 20-plus-minute rant that gets very passionate in questioning James Gunn’s thought process and even his talent. Joe’s main question is “WHY?” Why would they fire Henry Cavill in this way?
“Nobody gives a s—t about a Superman origin story,” Angry Joe vented. “Nobody gives a s—t. We’ve already had a young Superman. It’s f—king time to see Superman at his best. Go up against Mongul, go up against Lobo, go up against motherf—king Darkside, go up against goddamn f—king galactic-level threats.”
Kal-El (Henry Cavill) exits the Fortress of Solitude wearing his iconic Superman suit in Man of Steel (2013) via Warner Bros. Pictures
He went on, “I don’t give a s—t! I don’t want to see motherf—king young-a** Superman dealing with goddamn f—king reporting and goddamn learning how to be Superman! I’ve already seen that a ton of f—king times.”
Specifically addressing Henry Cavill and the decision to let him go, Angry Joe said, “You had an amazing actor who embodies the role and you f—king slapped him in the f—king face. You f—king disrespected him over and over. For what?”
Superman (Henry Cavill) faces Doomsday in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) via Warner Bros. Entertainment
Angry Joe reflects the frustrations of a lot of fans who don’t want to see another reboot with a younger Superman gaining experience at the Daily Planet. We’ve been there and done that in Man of Steel and Christopher Reeve’s outings. Joe and others want to see an experienced hero portrayed by Cavill go cosmic and fight the likes of Darkseid and Mongul.
The commentator would also make it a point to speak directly at Gunn, wondering why the Guardians of the Galaxy director can’t deliver on that. If space operas are one of his specialties then he ought to be capable of doing something with Superman in that setting instead of leaving him stuck on Earth for the umpteenth time.
Superman (Henry Cavill) is ready to put his own limits to the test in Man of Steel (2013) via Warner Bros. Pictures
Maybe you are one who shares his frustrations and misses Cavill. Do you agree with Angry Joe and the fandom being written off by Gunn, DC, and Warners? Sound off below.