As wild as it may sound, one of Henry Cavill’s original Superman suits has been destroyed. While it wasn’t intentional, DC Studios co-head James Gunn has confirmed a story that is making the rounds online. Cavill made his most recent and final appearance as the Man of Steel in 2022’s Black Adam. Beginning next year, it will be David Corenset (Pearl) taking over as Clark Kent. It turns out, he had a hand in tearing Cavill’s suit to shreds.
On a recent episode of the Hellish podcast, actor Tom Brittney explained how the suit was destroyed. Brittney, known for his work in Outlander and Greyhound, auditioned to play Superman in Gunn’s new movie, which hits theaters next summer. Ultimately, Corenswet landed the role, but Brittney was the one who helped tear the suit.
“It was actually Henry Cavill’s Superman suit – it was his actual suit…It takes about half an hour to get into it – to get sewn into it. And yeah, I think I might have accidentally ripped it…I was more muscular than Henry Cavill, that’s the only reason.”
Corenswet bulked up to play the role. Apparently, Brittney was already very muscular even during his screen test. We got a look earlier this year at Corenswet in his new suit and he looked the part. Responding to a fan who asked about this story on Threads, Gunn confirmed that it’s true. He also added a bit more context for how the suit was destroyed. Basically, Tom started messing up the suit. Corenswet then came in to finish the job. Here’s what Gunn had to say about it.
“Yes. Tom messed it up and then Corenswet came in an[d] he was way too tall so it just got torn to shreds. BTW, Tom is truly one of my favorite actors. Incredibly talented guy.”
“It was an original that wasn’t in the best shape to begin with,” Gunn further clarified. So, this was indeed an authentic Cavill Superman costume. On the other hand, it wasn’t like it was the only Cavill costume. It also, apparently, wasn’t in great shape when Brittney and Corenswet got into it.
It’s a shame but also an oddly fitting metaphor for Cavill’s time in the role. Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel was divisive but successful. That paved the way for the even more divisive Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which in turn led to the very messy situation with Justice League. Snyder eventually got to release his full version of Justice League on streaming but, by that time, the damage was done. DC has now fully moved on and is headed for a reboot under Gunn and Peter Safran. That begins next year, in earnest, with Superman.
Here is the synopsis for James Gunn’s Superman.
“[Superman] tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.”
Cavill, meanwhile, wanted to come back to play the Man of Steel again. That’s why he showed up in Black Adam. That appearance was also meant to tee up another solo film starring the actor. But when Gunn and Safran were brought on to reboot the DC Universe, those plans were scrapped. And then, quite literally, his suit was ripped to shreds.
Superman is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
What do you think? Are you excited to see David Corenswet’s Superman? Or would you prefer to see Henry Cavill one more time? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
