Who Will Play Superman? Henry Cavill Will No Longer Star in Role

In a major casting shake-up, actor Henry Cavill will reportedly no longer play the coveted role of Superman/Clark Kent.

Cavill's exit from the DC cinematic universe reportedly stems from failed negotiations to recruit the Mission: Impossible—Fallout star to appear alongside actor Zachary Levi in its upcoming adaptation of Shazam!, according to a Wednesday report from The Hollywood Reporter. Cavill's representatives at WME encountered disagreements during contract negotiations with Warner Bros. Pictures due to the company's interest in developing a Supergirl origin story flick.

"While no decisions have been made regarding any upcoming Superman films, we've always had great respect for and a great relationship with Henry Cavill, and that remains unchanged," a Warner Bros. spokesperson said in a statement issued to Newsweek Wednesday.

Cavill, 35, has starred in three films as the fictional superhero from Krypton: 2013's Man of Steel, 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017's Justice League. While all films were commercially successful, they've generally received mixed feedback from fans and critics alike.

Representatives for Cavill did not immediately return Newsweek's request for comment, but Cavill has addressed aspects of Warner's retelling of Superman's story that he didn't like. In a July interview with Square Mile, Cavill explained how he wished there was more room or his character to develop.

"We didn't get the opportunity to show the other side of it, the 'I'm ready to be Superman now and I'm ready to show the world the best examples,'" Cavill told Square Mile. "That's where the joy and glee comes from, and that sense of warmth from the character, which is his real superpower—he makes people believe in themselves. It was a shame because it would've been nice, and it would have been a lovely coupling with the seriousness and the depth of Man of Steel."

While Cavill is out, DC fans are likely wondering who will tackle the sought after position next. Magic Mike actor Joe Manganiello was considered for the part in Man of Steel before Cavill nabbed it. Prior to Man of Steel, actors Ashton Kutcher, Josh Hartnett and Ben Affleck were names associated with the Kryptonian hero as well.

Manganiello, in speaking with MTV's Happy Sad Confused Podcast in 2017, suggested he was very close to locking down the role. "I met everybody—everybody involved—and then finally sat down with Zack for an hour and a half and had a big conversation about the character and where it was going, et cetera," he said. "Then they called the True Blood costume shop for my measurements to build my suit and that's what caused—that's when it stopped."

While Affleck starred as Batman opposite Cavill in both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, he was initially considered to play Clark Kent/Superman in an adaption being written by Kevin Smith. This all changed, however, when Tim Burton scrapped Smith's ideas upon signing on to direct.

In 2003, director Brett Ratner screen-tested Ashton Kutcher to play Superman. The That '70s Show alum, however, ultimately turned down the part.

"There is [footage of my audition out there], with Keri Russell, who was reading Lois [Lane]," Kutcher told MTV News in 2010. "There's me in a Clark Kent outfit, and then there's me in a Superman outfit.… It did not feel right. I hadn't worked out or done anything right. I was like a rail with fake muscles. It looked funny."

After Kutcher, Hartnett was offered to play Superman in 2006's Superman Returns before Brandon Routh. Hartnett, who also rejected starring roles in Spider-Man and Batman Begins, told Details in 2014: "I didn't want to be labeled as Superman for the rest of my career. I was maybe 22, but I saw the danger."

This story has been updated to include a statement from Warner Bros. Pictures.