Henry Cavill may not be reprising his role of Superman in the new DC Universe, but he could still return, potentially even as an iconic DC villain.

SUMMARY

•  Henry Cavill’s return to the DC Universe might not be as Superman, but he could potentially play a compelling villain like Deathstroke or Lucifer Morningstar.
•  Jonah Hex and Thomas Wayne (a twisted version of Batman) are other intriguing character options that Cavill could bring to life in the new DC franchise.
•  From Brainiac to Ra’s al Ghul, there are several iconic DC villains that Cavill could excel at portraying, providing a fresh and exciting twist to his acting career.

Superman might not be played by Henry Cavill in DC Studios’ new DC Universe, but the actor could still return to the franchise, potentially even as any number of DC Comics’ villains. Henry Cavill first appeared as Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman, in 2013’s Man of Steel, kicking off the DC Extended Universe under the watchful eye of Zack Snyder. However, despite making further appearances in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, Warner Bros. never really knew what to do with Snyder and Cavill’s darker interpretation of DC’s legendary hero. This meant that Cavill was neglected in the DCEU, despite having the talent to do so much more.

Ultimately, this led to a period of confusion surrounding Cavill’s Superman in 2022, as an appearance in Black Adam teased his return, and Man of Steel 2 was reportedly in the works. Even so, once James Gunn and Peter Safran put their plans for a franchise reboot into motion, Cavill was confirmed to not be returning as Superman, with David Corenswet instead taking the role for 2025’s Superman: Legacy. Even though Cavill won’t be appearing as Superman in the DC Universe, it’s possible he could return as a different character altogether, and it would be a great twist to see him return as a villain in the new DC franchise.

10Slade Wilson, A.K.A. Deathstroke

Henry Cavill always exuded a brilliant sense of confidence and strength in his imposing version of Superman, and this could lend itself perfectly to DC’s Deathstroke. DC Comics’ Slade Wilson was enhanced by an experimental super-soldier serum while serving as an elite operative in the United States Army, transforming into the ruthless mercenary Deathstroke. Since Deathstroke regularly wears a black-and-orange mask, Cavill’s return wouldn’t be too distracting, yet his commanding personality as Superman reflects Deathstroke’s superiority complex. Cavill’s Deathstroke would make a magnetic villain opposite the DCU’s new Batman, and potentially even against a future Justice League team.

9Lucifer Morningstar

As one of DC Comics’ most charismatic characters, Lucifer Morningstar would be a brilliant fit for the equally as charismatic Henry Cavill. Lucifer, often depicted as the ruler of Hell in DC Comics, is one of the DC Universe’s most powerful characters, and Cavill has already had experience filling a similar role as the DCEU’s Superman. Cavill is no stranger to more sophisticated roles, such as those in The Man From UNCLE and Mission Impossible: Fallout, so his embodiment of the suave and slick Lucifer would be fantastic. Additionally, Lucifer is rarely the main character in DC’s stories, which would help audiences to avoid any confusion with Cavill’s return.

8Jonah Hex

Although depicted as an antihero rather than a villain, Jonah Hex’s abrasive personality, bad reputation, and ruthless demeanor would give Cavill the opportunity to portray a very different kind of character in the new DC Universe. Cavill has seen horse-riding action in The Witcher, in which he also portrayed an enhanced hunter, though in The Witcher, he hunts monsters, while Hex is a bounty hunter. Since Gunn’s new DC Universe appears to be giving attention to lesser-utilized DC Comics characters, and Jonah Hex’s debut was previously teased by James Gunn. Cavill could demonstrate a new side to his acting if he assumes this surly role.

7Thomas Wayne, A.K.A. Batman

The Flash loosely adapted DC Comics’ Flashpoint event, but it’s possible that this massive storyline could be revisited more authentically in the DC Universe’s future. If this occurs, Henry Cavill could portray Thomas Wayne, who appears as a twisted and hardened Batman. Similarly to Jonah Hex, Thomas Wayne’s Batman isn’t necessarily depicted as a villain, but he takes vigilantism to the extreme by beating Gotham City’s criminals to death. Cavill has previously denied auditioning for Bruce Wayne in 2005’s Batman Begins, but audiences clearly wanted to see him in the role, so debuting him as Batman’s father in The Brave and the Bold and beyond would be a great twist.

6Adrian Veidt, A.K.A. Ozymandias

Although Adrian Veidt started his career as a prominent and celebrated hero, his plot to create a catastrophic world-ending event to unite the world against a common enemy saw him earn his title as an anti-villain. DC Comics’ Watchmen haven’t yet been confirmed for the new DC Universe, but Cavill’s appearance as Ozymandias would give him the opportunity to be in a new superpowered team. Ozymandias’ authoritative presence, sharp intellect, and pensive nature can be perfectly enacted by Cavill, who has a great deal of experience in quietly commanding roles. Since Veidt achieved a peak physical condition, too, Cavill certainly looks the part.

5General Zod

Gunn and Safran could flip the script completely and bring Henry Cavill back as a version of the villain he faced in his debut project as Superman. General Zod, previously portrayed by Michael Shannon, is in charge of Krypton’s military, and is one of Superman’s most prevailing villains. His backstory and character wasn’t really explored in Man of Steel or The Flash, so the DC Universe could develop him in much more detail. One of the reasons Cavill wasn’t brought back as Superman is because Gunn wanted to focus on a younger Man of Steel, so perhaps Cavill is the right age to portray General Zod opposite David Corenswet’s Superman.

4Thomas Elliot, A.K.A. Hush

Hush is included in Batman’s rogues gallery in DC Comics, introduced as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥hood friend of Bruce Wayne who attempted to murder his parents to inherit their fortune. When he was thwarted by Thomas Wayne, Batman’s father, Thomas Elliot began his lifelong vendetta against the Waynes, Bruce in particular, once he learned of his secret identity as Batman. Cavill’s work in projects such as Blood Creek have proven he could embrace the role’s more horror-inspired aspects which Hush exudes, with his bandage-covered appearance earning a sense of mystery and terror. The DCU’s Batman actor hasn’t been revealed yet, but Cavill would no doubt make a formidable Batman villain.

3Brainiac

When Man of Steel 2 was reportedly in development, there was speculation that DC Comics’ Brainiac would have been Man of Steel 2’s villain opposite Henry Cavill’s Superman. While this plan evidently won’t come to fruition now, Cavill’s experience portraying a superpowered extraterrestrial would make him perfect for the role of Brainiac, particularly since this could provide Cavill with the chance to finally bid farewell to the DCEU’s Krypton – by destroying it. As an artificial intelligence, Brainiac can upload his consciousness into several different bodies, so this could be a fun way to briefly bring Cavill back without him having to commit to the franchise.

2Ra’s al Ghul

Most notable as the leader of the League of Assassins in DC Comics, Ra’s al Ghul is one of DC’s most iconic and memorable villains, and Henry Cavill could perfectly fill this role. As a commanding and terrifying leader, Cavill would be able to embody Ra’s al Ghul’s stoicism and sternness, proven by his more subdued, powerful roles. Cavill’s dark hair and beard to match mean he certainly has the physical appearance of Ra’s al Ghul. Since The Brave and the Bold is set to debut Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul – Ra’s’ daughter – the villain is bound to make an appearance in the DCU, which may be the prime opportunity to bring Cavill back.

1Bizarro

Bizarro is DC Comics’ perfect antithesis of Superman – a clone of the Man of Steel with violent tendencies who was never explored in the DCEU. David Corenswet and Henry Cavill’s appearances are strikingly similar, so Cavill as the DCU’s Bizarro wouldn’t be too jarring. This would give Cavill the chance to lean further into the darker tones of his Superman, which were teased throughout the DCEU. Bizarro has been featured in many live-action DC adaptations over the years, so it’s possible the DCU could adapt the villain, too, and since he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to Superman, Henry Cavill would be a strong candidate for the role.