Filmmaker Zack Snyder recently provided Superman fans with a nostalgic glimpse into the casting of Henry Cavill as Clark Kent for the 2013 film, Man of Steel. Snyder shared a series of behind-the-scenes photographs featuring Cavill donning Christopher Reeve's original Superman suit. These images were not mere throwbacks but were instrumental in Snyder's pitch to Warner Bros. executives, solidifying Cavill's undeniable suitability for the iconic role. Snyder reminisced in a caption, "Henry Cavill. The original Superman suit. This photo. It was undeniable." He further stated, "With the last image I shared, and this one, we showed WB [and] everyone agreed: Henry Cavill was Superman. That’s where the journey began."

Henry Cavill's tenure as Superman spanned three films within Snyder's DC Universe: Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League. However, his journey as the Man of Steel was marked by an abrupt and, for many fans, dissatisfying conclusion. After Justice League, Cavill's role remained in limbo for five years, leaving his future as Superman uncertain.

A brief but impactful comeback occurred in 2022 when Cavill made a surprise post-credits appearance in Black Adam, reigniting fan hopes and generating immense online buzz. Reports quickly followed, indicating that a standalone Superman sequel starring Cavill was in active development, with various writers pitching story ideas. This tease hinted at a potential clash between Superman and Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam, suggesting a clearer roadmap for the DC Universe. Cavill himself confirmed his return on Instagram, expressing gratitude for fan support and patience, promising a rewarding future. He later elaborated during a live recording of Happy Sad Confused, envisioning "an enormously joyful Superman" with a "bright future ahead for the character."

Despite the excitement, Cavill's resurgence as Superman swiftly unraveled. Almost immediately after his announcement, James Gunn and Peter Safran were appointed to lead DC Studios, ushering in plans for an entirely new DC Universe. This pivotal shift effectively closed the chapter on Snyder’s era and, consequently, on Cavill’s portrayal of Superman. Gunn acknowledged the unfortunate timing, describing it as an "unfair" situation for Cavill. He explained, "The day our [DC] deal closed, all of a sudden, they were announcing that Henry was back. And I’m like, ‘What is going on?’ … It was really unfair to him and a total bummer." Gunn further noted that he and Safran personally met with Cavill to explain the reboot, commending the actor's graceful acceptance, with Cavill's only request being to personally share the news.

Man of Steel, the film that launched Cavill's Superman, was released on June 14, 2013, with a runtime of 143 minutes. Directed by Zack Snyder, the screenplay was penned by David S. Goyer, based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, with story contributions from Christopher Nolan. The film was produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, and Deborah Snyder. Henry Cavill starred as Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El, alongside Amy Adams as Lois Lane. While a sequel, Man of Steel 2, was referenced as a prequel in some contexts, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice served as its direct cinematic sequel within the Superman franchise.