Superman was born through the pens of writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in 1938, as Kal-El from the fictional planet Krypton crashed into Earth. The creation that first appeared in Action Comics not only proved a nightmare for countless fictional villains but also forever changed the outlook of the action genre.
What in the early days was deemed as a cartoon for kids and used to get scoffed at by mainstream filmmakers has now been transformed into the most prolific money-making machine for Hollywood. And it’s only fair to give Superman his flowers for starting it all. In an era where there are hundreds of superhero-based movies and TV series, Superman still comfortably sits at the summit of popularity. And the recent hype around James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy would attest to the same.
We are still around two years away from the movie’s release and yet, just the decision surrounding who will be the next Clark Kent has fueled thousands of headlines. However, not every Superman news or theory is exciting and pleasing.
What’s the Superman Curse and Is Henry Cavill Its Latest Victim?
Spider-Man says, “With great power comes great responsibility” but in the case of Superman, it seems with great power comes great curse.
As Superman’s popularity picked up, Hollywood producers quickly started churning out adaptations, showing the man with the red cape flaunting his superhuman strength, speed, and agility among other powers on the big screen. Superman’s trademark cape remained the same, but the faces carrying the trademark piece of clothing kept changing.
David Corenswet will play the superhero in the latest version of the storied tale that has previously roped in superstars like George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, and Henry Cavill. The opportunity to play such an iconic character is seen as a game-changing gig for any actor, but at the same time, there’s an unfortunate theory attached to the role.
Reeves, who portrayed Superman in the series Adventures of Superman, died at the age of 45 from a gunshot. His death was officially ruled a suicide but the suspicious circumstances surrounding that fateful night in Beverly Hills in 1959 initiated the idea of the Superman Curse. Over the decades, many fans have attached tragic incidents in the lives of individuals associated with the movie or series based on Superman with the said curse.
Accordingly, Cavill, who has featured in five DCEU movies as the superhero, is the latest actor who seems to have been suffering from this curse.
Why Did Henry Cavill Exit From Netflix’s The Witcher?
The 40-year-old has amassed huge popularity in recent years thanks to his two much-loved roles: DCEU’s Superman and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher. However, now he’s out of both projects, giving fans another reason to bring up the age-old idea of the Superman Curse.
As far as substantial reports are concerned, Cavill exited from The Witcher series as he had only made a short-term deal. A report in Deadline says he felt it was time to “move on” after three seasons. The next season of the medieval dark fantasy films overseas and has a demanding production schedule. Other reports suggest he had creative differences with the writers.
Furthermore, he isn’t part of the next Superman project either as Gunn doesn’t see him as an ideal fit for the narrative of Superman: Legacy.
About the supposed curse, all we can do is wish good luck to the next Superman, David Corenswet.
