New DC CEO addresses the backlash over Henry Cavill's exit as Superman
text_fieldsThe new CEO of DC studios James Gunn took to social media to respond to the backlash to the news of Henry Cavill stepping down from the role of Superman.
Gunn had revealed that a new Superman film is in the works but it will not feature Cavill. The actor who allegedly left Netflix show The Witcher due to a schedule clash with DC also announced that he will not be joining the DC universe anymore. This led to an outcry from fans on social media. Many hurled unkind words at Gunn and his co-CEO Peter Safran.
It was revealed that the new Superman film will focus on an earlier part of the character's life and Cavill will not be playing the role. Many fans took offence and called to boycott DC. Some also tried to start a movement to get Gunn fired so that old plans, in which Cavill was still present, can be brought back. Such a response was despite the fact that the new CEOs and Cavill are on the same page and have discussed "exciting possibilities" of working together in the future.
Gun explained and defended his decisions in a series of tweets and wrote: "One of the things Peter and I were aware of when we took the job as heads of DC Studios was a certain minority of people online that could be, well, uproarious and unkind, to say the least. Our choices for the DCU are based upon what we believe is best for the story and best for the DC characters who have been around for nearly 85 years. Perhaps these choices are great, perhaps not, but they are made with sincere hearts and integrity and always with the story in mind."
"No one loves to be harassed or called names – but, to be frank, we've been through significantly worse. The disrespectful outcry will never, ever affect our actions. We were aware there would be a period of turbulence when we took this gig. And we knew we would sometimes have to make difficult and not-so-obvious choices, especially in the wake of the fractious nature of what came before us. But this means little to us in comparison to our jobs as artists and custodians in helping to create a wide and wonderful future for DC," he added.