Warner Brothers’ DCEU, or the DC Extended Universe, has had its share of problems. One of its major issues is that most of the films that have been released could never match the critical or commercial success of Marvel Studios releases.

The other is having an actor commit to playing their respective superheroes. In the latest shocking development, Henry Cavill will no longer play Superman. The move could give way to change how WB moves forward with its DC films. More on the story below.

THR says Cavill exited the role after talks between WB and Cavill’s WME reps for a Shazam! cameo fell through. As a result, Superman appearances in other films are no longer an option.

The studio will now shift its focus to Supergirl, Superman’s cousin. Additionally, WB says they weren’t planning on releasing another Superman film for years to come. A source tells THR, “Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors.”

This latest shocking development mirrors Ben Affleck’s commitment to his role as Batman. There had been rumors that the actor also wanted out of playing the Dark Knight. These rumors ultimately had an effect on the development of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, which has been said to be looking for a much younger actor. Also, Affleck has had personal issues he’s been dealing with.

However, neither WB nor Cavill’s reps have confirmed Cavill’s exit.

Cavill first played Superman in 2013 in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, where the hero committed a taboo by breaking character and killing General Zod. The film was a tepid hit and was met with mixed reviews. The actor reprised his role in both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. Both were poorly received while the latter was the lowest grossing DCU film. None of that was Cavill’s fault, of course, as he tried to work with the stories he was given. Just looking at a clean-shaven Henry Cavill, it’s hard not to picture him with those red and blues with an S shield on his chest.

Still, given some of his more recent films, Cavill makes for a better spy than he does superhero. The actor has already taken a trip down that world twice, once in Guy Ritchie’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and the other in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. The latter caused quite a frenzied scandal when he couldn’t shave off his mustache for Justice League because he needed it in Fallout.

It’s unclear how much of Cavill’s exit will affect President of DC-based films Walter Hamada‘s plans for the DCU.

Another factor in all of this could be the fact that Cavill recently signed on to play Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s series adaptation of The Witcher, though another source says his deal with Netflix came after things fell apart with Warner Brothers.

[Source: THR]