DC Films’ future is uncertain after Warner Brothers’ merger with Discovery and David Zaslav’s ascension to the studio head. In the recent decade, though, DC has released a few works that have become instant classics for their respective fan bases. Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill as Superman, is one example. The 2013 film that began the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) as we know it has no sequel.
It appears, however, that this is about to change. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that DC is really working on a sequel to Man of Steel and that Cavill will be reprising his role. The production company is presently on the hunt for a scriptwriter. Longtime DC producer Charles Roven is on the project, and it seems that WB has a director wishlist, all of which is part of a broader DC article outlining the future of the series. THR calls attention to the fact that Christopher McQuarrie, director of Mission: Impossible, is on that roster. As of right now, that is all we can say.
Considering his collaboration with Cavill on Mission: Impossible — Fallout, it’s not surprising that McQuarrie would be sought after. Man of Steel 2 is still in its infancy while McQuarrie works feverishly on the next two M: I films, Dead Reckoning Parts 1 and 2. McQuarrie’s track record with M: I, an action-packed blockbuster, makes him an ideal candidate to direct a film starring a figure like Superman. As a result of its publication, Man of Steel polarised audiences and reviewers alike. Snyder’s picture asked, “What if Superman landed in our actual world?” in a way that few other movies had.
As a result, the tone was far more sinister than in the typical Superman tale of the time. Thankfully, the film’s quality has been reevaluated in the intervening decade. Just by virtue of Cavill’s fantastic performance, that movie stands out as one of the most nuanced character studies of any recent superhero picture. Man of Steel has all the makings of a top-tier comic book movie, from its spectacular action sequences to its epic musical soundtrack by Hans Zimmer to its fantastic antagonists.
That’s why plenty of fans will welcome this bit of news with open arms. After all the postponements, cancellations, and conflictingly negative reports, DC supporters have been left feeling like they’ve been waiting forever for some positive news. And this may be the finest DC news a fan could wish for, so it’s not just excellent news we’ve been waiting for.
The fact that plans have been made for a sequel to 2013’s Man of Steel is exciting, even if nothing is put in stone just yet. It appears that Cavill’s Superman will play a significant role in DC’s future as directed by Zaslav. Black Adam, the next film in the DC Extended Universe, is set for release this weekend. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been hinting at a confrontation with Superman since San Diego Comic-Con this past summer. You may check out THR’s comprehensive DC piece as we wait for more on Man of Steel 2. The whole DCEU, including Man of Steel, is currently available on HBO Max for streaming.