Henry Cavill's DCU Exit Opens Him Up For A Perfect MCU Role

Henry Cavill's exit from his DCU Superman role is the perfect opportunity for his MCU debut as a multiversal hero. Despite its ideal casting choices, comic-accurate costume designs, and potential-filled stories, Warner Bros.' cinematic universe, the DCEU, will go through a major reboot under James Gunn and Peter Safran's rule. Therefore, Superman actor Henry Cavill will no longer don the cape in future DC movies. While this is disappointing for the DCU, it also means that Cavill will be free to pursue other roles in different franchises.

Henry Cavill's future Warhammer 40K project is the start of a new era for his Hollywood career, but it may not be the only major IP the former Superman actor can join. Actors such as Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, William Dafoe, and Michael Keaton have jumped between MCU and DCU movies in a short period of time without a problem, and Henry Cavill could do just the same. In fact, there's one specific Marvel character with plenty of potential for the MCU that suits Henry Cavill's talents: Captain Britain.

Why Henry Cavill Would Make The Perfect Captain Britain

Henry Cavill as Captain Britain in the MCU

The MCU can make the most out of Henry Cavill's charisma, acting skills, and physicality with Brian Braddock a.k.a. Captain Britain, a powerful hero with ties to Marvel magic and the multiverse. As a strong, fast, and flying superhero who constantly saves the Earth, Captain Britain could put Henry Cavill's wasted Superman potential to good use in a fully established cinematic universe. But Captain Britain can also provide Cavill with new creative possibilities for his performance beyond Superman's idealistic personality, as Brian Braddock is a more troubled, reluctant superhero whose powers depend on his self-confidence.

Henry Cavill has already played characters that resemble Captain Britain in certain aspects, including the arrogant but honorable Charles Brandon in The Tudors, the noble warrior Theseus in Immortals, and the suave agent Napoleon Solo in The Man From UNCLE. What's more, Henry Cavill's two most famous characters, the DCU's Superman and The Witcher's Geralt of Rivia, can be perfectly combined into Captain Britain. In fact, Henry Cavill is such a good fit for Brian Braddock that Cavill himself has expressed interest in playing Captain Britain.

Why The Time Is Right For Captain Britain In The MCU

Captain Carter and Captain Britain in the MCU and Marvel Comics

With Henry Cavill officially out as Superman, the MCU is free to give him a character arc across various Captain Britain movies and Disney+ appearances. Unlike Superman, Captain Britain doesn't have the burden of an entire franchise lying entirely on his shoulders, but he still plays a key role as the protector of Marvel's main universe. Henry Cavill's exit from the DCEU and The Witcher frees up his schedule just in time for the height of the MCU's Multiverse Saga, which means that it would be easy for him to show up as Captain Britain in an upcoming multiverse-themed MCU release.

It was Captain Britain who helped solidify the concept of the multiverse in Marvel Comics with the introduction of the Captain Britain Corps in 1983's The Daredevils #6. Perhaps Captain Britain can also make sense of the confusing rules of the MCU's multiverse in Phase 5 or 6 ahead of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Besides, Brian Braddock founded the mutant team Excalibur, and his sister and Captain Britain successor, Betsy Braddock, is none other than X-Men's Psylocke. With multiversal duties, a connection to mutants, and the right timing, Captain Britain seems like the perfect superhero role for Henry Cavill after Superman.

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