Henry Cavill has been at the center of speculation about his next moves following his departure from the role of Superman, and the recent rumors surrounding his potential involvement with various blockbuster franchises highlight his enduring star power. After the announcement of his exit from Netflix's The Witcher series, fans eagerly anticipated his next big role. This week, it was reported by various insiders, including MyTimeToShineH, of Cavill's casting as the iconic Marvel villain Annihilus for the now-scrapped Disney+ series Nova.
The Nova series was set to introduce the legendary Marvel villain and adapt the celebrated Annihilation storyline, which would have presented Cavill with a bold new challenge far removed from his well-known portrayals of heroes like Superman and Geralt of Rivia. An insider suggested Cavill was slated for the motion-capture role, indicating a shift to playing complex characters rather than traditional heroes. "The story would have thrust [Richard Rider] played by Austin Butler, as he worked to rebuild the Nova Corps to counter Annihilus' universe-threatening Annihilation Wave," the insider noted.
Unfortunately, the cancellation of Nova leaves fans wondering what might have been. The project was poised to draw together legendary characters, including appearances from Glenn Close and John C. Reilly reprising their roles from Guardians of the Galaxy. Cavill's portrayal of Annihilus promised to showcase his darker side, reminiscent of his well-received performance as the villain in Mission: Impossible - Fallout. Despite this setback, the question remains: what is next for Cavill?
Just as the news broke about Nova being shelved, another development caught the attention of Hollywood: Amazon Studios has taken control of the James Bond franchise. Bezos' leadership is expected to shift the direction of the series, and with this new oversight, fans have reignited the campaign for Cavill to take over the 007 mantle. Following the announcement, Bezos openly asked his followers on X, "Who’d you pick as the next Bond?" A tidal wave of responses favored Cavill, underscoring the actor's popularity.
Cavill himself has previously expressed interest in the iconic Bond role, stating during The Rich Eisen Show last year, "I have no idea, all I’ve got to go off is the rumors. The same information you have." His potential candidacy seems to hinge upon Bezos' new role and fan support, which may now outweigh the previous producers’ concerns.
Interestingly, Cavill was once seen as the frontrunner for Bond during the casting search for Daniel Craig's successor, with director Martin Campbell praising his audition. "If Daniel didn’t exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond... very handsome, very chiseled," Campbell elaborated. Now, it appears the stars may be aligning once again for Cavill as he looks to step back onto the big stage as the suave British spy.
Meanwhile, the mood among fans tilts between disappointment over the cancellation of Nova and excitement over the possibility of Cavill stepping boldly back onto screen as Bond. His existing collaborations with Amazon, including The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and the upcoming Warhammer 40,000 series, have already established a working relationship, increasing the likelihood of Cavill becoming the next 007.
Some analysts suggest it would be prudent for Amazon to initially favor younger contenders like Aaron Taylor-Johnson or Taron Egerton for the role, shifting away from Cavill's more mature portrayal at age 62 by the end of his tenure. Still, could this decision risk alienation among fans who don't want to see their favored actor overlooked?
With speculation swirling about what lies ahead for Henry Cavill, one thing is certain: his next moves will be closely watched. Whether it’s donning the tuxedo of 007 or exploring new horizons with strong superhero narratives, Cavill continues to powerhouse through the changing tides of Hollywood.