Henry Cavill Reveals How He Really Feels About The Snyder Cut

Zack Snyder's 4-hour long cut of Justice League has finally seen the light of earth's yellow sun. Snyder had to step away from the DC Extended Universe all star team-up in 2016 after a family loss. Warner Bros. enlisted Avengers writer-director Joss Whedon to finish the film, which was in post-production. Whedon's Justice League was not well received, and his star has continued to tarnish amid accusations that his set was, in the words of Cyborg actor Ray Fisher, "gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable." Fans rallied for Warner Bros. to #ReleaseTheSnyderCut, in a powerful campaign that some praised. Others decried some of the movement's more aggressive adherents, calling them toxic (via Vox).

Many Justice League stars have come out in favor of the Snyder Cut, including Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Ben Affleck (Batman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), and Fisher (Cyborg). Henry Cavill, who first played Superman in Snyder's 2013 film, Man of Steel, had mostly stayed mum on the Snyder Cut subject. Until now, that is.

In a March 18, 2021 Instagram post, Henry Cavill congratulated Zack Snyder on the fulfilment of his vision for the DC Extended Universe. "I know this has been an arduous journey for you," he wrote. "[Y]ou kept fighting, though." Cavill knows a lot about fighting to see something get made; he was originally cast in McG's Superman movie back in 2004, and even got as close as having a fitting for Superman's iconic cape (via MTV). But when Bryan Singer took over the project, he cast Brandon Routh in the role. 

Cavill expressed appreciation for the man who finally slotted him into the role of Clark Kent, saying "I couldn't be happier to see your vision for Justice League realised. And what a movie it is!" Cavill also used the #HopeNeverDies hashtag, in reference to his character's slogan in promotion for the film. Superman's logo, in comics lore, isn't a big S; it's actually the Kryptonian symbol for hope. Superman explains the symbol to Lois Lane in Man of Steel, and further elaborates in the Whedon cut of Justice League that it takes its shape from a river.

When asked about the Snyder Cut previously, Henry Cavill has said the whole thing reminded him of past unpleasantness. Not the fight between artistic visions, however; he just missed his mustache. "I miss my mustache — which is the most important thing," Cavill told entertainment reporter Jake Hamilton. "And for me, it was just a harrowing reminder that I didn't have it anymore. And so I just didn't want to dig that wound any deeper." 

Cavill grew the 'stache for Mission: Impossible — Fallout and couldn't shave it off during reshoots for Justice League back in the day. Post production spent millions digitally removing the mustache from every frame of Superman's screen time. The final effect flew Supes right into the uncanny valley for many viewers. The mustache was well used in Fallout, but eventually got the chop, to Cavill's dismay. Perhaps the Snyder Cut's release can give Cavill closure on this dark (and bristly) chapter of his past.

The Snyder Cut is not canon in the DCEU, so Clark Kent's fate hasn't really changed between now and 2017. But the critical acclaim being thrown at Snyder may impact the future of moviemaking as a whole, not just the fate of the DCEU. As columnist Owen Gleiberman wrote in Variety, "'Zack Snyder's Justice League' is the movie that shows us, at last, what the DCEU could be ... Now that that's happened, to leave Snyder by the wayside seems not merely unjust; it strikes me as foolhardy," meaning that Warner Bros. execs should think twice about ignoring the fanbase to which they just capitulated. 

Henry Cavill has expressed interest in returning to the role. "The cape is in the closet," he told Men's Health in 2019. "It's still mine." He's pretty busy being everyone's favorite warrior on Netflix, however. Cavill became Geralt of Rivia, the titular Witcher in December of 2019, taking his shirt off and slaying monsters with equal aplomb. The Witcher was renewed for a second season, but that doesn't preclude Cavill also returning to Superman; a wig change is easier than CGI mustache removal, after all.