Yesterday it was reported that the actor was on the way out at DC and Warner Bros, amidst reports of his new high-profile roles and the disappointing performance of Justice League and Batman Vs Superman.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that talks had broken down for a Cavill cameo in the upcoming Shazam! movie, and he is now set to walk away amid a big shake-up to the DC Extended Universe.
“Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors,” a studio source told the US publication.
But has Cavill now hinted all is not as it seems?
In a cryptic Instagram post late last night, he published a video captioned: “Today was exciting #Superman.”
In it, he can be seen in a Kyrpton Lifting Team video, wielding an action figurine of himself.
All innocent enough, but the timing of the post as his name was trending worldwide as a result of the exit rumours cannot be ignored.
Is this “excitement” over the role a sign that he’s staying?
Indeed, a Warner Bros spokesperson told THR after their report was published yesterday: “We have a great relationship and great respect for Henry Cavill that continues to remain unchanged.
“Additionally we have made no current decisions regarding any upcoming Superman films.”
Whilst that isn’t a flat-out denial of the allegations, it certainly implies that the end of Cavill’s tenure is far from a done deal.
In any case, Cavill has lots on his plate: he’s recently signed on to lead the Netflix series The Witcher, and he went down a storm over the summer in the latest Mission Impossible instalment.
The DCEU has struggled to find its footing compared to Marvel’s MCU: to date Wonder Woman is the only universally successful film they’ve made, with others struggling in terms of critics, the box office, or both.
Aquaman is the studio’s next output; due this December – and Shazam! follows next year.
Wonder Woman’s much-hyped sequel is also due, while the state of the planned The Batman movie remains unclear, and Ray Fisher has admitted that a Cyborg standalone picture is also up in the air.
Ezra Miller’s The Flash movie is still expected to shoot next year.