Henry Cavill spoke publicly for the first time about his “Superman” return during a live recording of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in New York City.
Cavill’s reprisal of the major DC role first became a topic of conversation after his cameo at the end of “Black Adam,” which zapped theaters Friday. Cavill then confirmed that he would return as the caped character in an Instagram post.
“The character means so much to me. It’s been five years now. I never gave up hope,” Cavill told the audience at the podcast taping, according to Variety. “It’s amazing to be here now talking about it again. There is such a bright future ahead for the character. I’m so excited to tell a story with an enormously joyful Superman.”
Cavill explained that the call to film his “Black Adam” cameo came as he was filming “The Witcher” for Netflix. The fantasy production gave him clearance to take a break from filming, but his Superman return had to be kept under such tight wraps that he was not permitted to reveal why he was asking the production team for the break.
“I went to Warner Bros.’ studio in the UK and got back in the suit,” Cavill said. “It was a very powerful moment for me. I wasn’t sure how I would feel…whether it would be something very emotionally connective because I put the ‘Man of Steel’ suit back on. I chose that one in particular because of the nostalgia attached to the suit. It was important for me to be standing there and enjoying that moment. That is one of the top moments in my career. It feels great to have the opportunity to wear it again.”
Of the half decade he spent waiting for the news about playing Superman again, Cavill said, “I told myself I’m gonna let it sit and simmer in the background. I never lost hope, that was the key for me.”
Cavill responded, “You know I can’t tell you that,” when asked the status of the next Superman movie in terms of writers and directors attached to the project.
Just where Cavill’s Superman will pop up next on the big screen remains a mystery. Dwayne Johnson touted before the release of “Black Adam” that was adamant about making a movie in which Black Adam and Superman face off. The “Black Adam” credits scene confirmed that a battle between Black Adam and Superman, which Dwayne Johnson hinted at, may be in the future, but Cavill could also get another solo installment as the man of steel before then.
“Black Adam” is now playing in theaters nationwide.