WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Black Adam.
The prospect of a Man of Steel 2 starring Henry Cavill has sparked discussions about whether the original Man of Steel actors should be recast, yet recasting Lois Lane when Amy Adams has already played the character in three installments would be an insult to Superman fans. Five years after Justice League, audiences finally got to see Henry Cavill back as Superman in the DCU. Black Adam’s post-credits scene not only delivered on Dwayne Johnson’s teases of a Superman and Black Adam crossover, but it also teased a new, exciting future for Superman in this new chapter of the DC Universe – which does not necessarily call for a reboot.
Considering that more than 10 years will have passed since Man of Steel by the time a potential Henry Cavill Superman sequel happens, it is understandable to imagine that Man of Steel 2 will be closer to a soft reboot than an actual Man of Steel 2. Superman’s original arc continued through Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, meaning that a potential Man of Steel 2 would now have to start a brand new story. That helps explain why so many people are assuming that a new Superman movie would start from scratch, including by recasting key characters like Lois Lane. Still, even if Man of Steel 2 wants to be a reboot on some level, replacing Amy Adams, one of the best actors of her generation, simply does not make sense. From a fan perspective, a new Lois Lane would not only compromise continuity, but would tarnish the legacy of previous DCU outings in the process.
Amy Adams Already Proved Lois Lane Shouldn't Be Recast
Man of Steel may have been a divisive start to Henry Cavill's run as Superman, yet it cannot be denied how great the cast Zack Snyder put together was. Henry Cavill continues to prove he was the correct choice for Superman, and actors such as Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Laurence Fishburne, and Russell Crowe elevated the movie even more. Of all the problems audiences may have had with Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Snyder’s overall vision for Superman’s story, Amy Adam’s portrayal of Lois Lane was far from being an issue. In fact, Amy Adam’s performance as Lois Lane is what helped Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Justice League feel part of the same story despite the films having three very different styles.
Amy Adams' Lois Lane Can Be Even Better In Man Of Steel 2
Zack Snyder’s plans for Lois Lane involved Darkseid killing Lois to break Superman, though it’s unlikely a Zack Snyder Justice League sequel ever happens. Still, if Henry Cavill’s Superman is getting a new beginning in the DCU, then so should Amy Adam’s Lois Lane. Even if a potential Man of Steel 2 works as a soft reboot, keeping Henry Cavill as Superman while recasting key characters like Lois Lane would not make sense. The prospect of a new Superman story starring Henry Cavill after all these years is exciting, and any new Superman adventure works much better with Lois Lane. Essentially, Amy Adam’s Lois Lane should be a central part of any Henry Cavill Superman story.
Of all the course corrections the DC Universe has to do before a Superman movie starring Henry Cavill happens, recasting Lois Lane should not be in the cards. The concept of a Superman soft reboot does not ask for the previous Man of Steel actors to be recast, it simply means that Cavill’s Superman can get a fresh start in this new DC Universe. James Gunn is now the main creative force behind the DC films, which doesn’t mean the original DCU will be rebooted. If the previous Superman appearances are to be considered canon, then there is no reason to even consider a Lois Lane recast.
