Henry Cavill's portrayal of Superman shows him gradually evolve into the Man of Steel the world knows and loves. Cavill first took on the role of Superman in 2013's Man of Steel, under the direction of Zack Snyder. Both Cavill and Snyder would return for 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, while the situation with Justice League became more complicated. After Snyder's departure from the film due to a family tragedy, Justice League was extensively reshot by Joss Whedon. However, after calls for the release of Snyder's original cut of the movie reached mainstream levels, it eventually debuted on HBO Max in 2021 as Zack Snyder's Justice League.

Cavill's cameo as Superman in Black Adam seemed to set up his full-blown return to the role and the DCU. Sadly, with DC Studios planning to recast Kal-El in a new Superman movie, Cavill would depart the DCU again. Despite this, Cavill's four appearances as Superman show him in an arc of overcoming adversity to become the symbol of hope that Superman embodies.

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Man of Steel

Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel pic

In Man of Steel, Cavill's Clark Kent is introduced as a lost young man trying to find his place in the world. After learning of his alien origins from his adoptive father Jonathan Kent (Kevin Costner), Clark feels called to use his powers to help the world but is afraid of the irreversible ramifications of the world learning of his existence. After stumbling upon the Kryptonian scout ship and meeting the A.I. of his father Jor-El (Russell Crowe), Clark gains a more refined sense of purpose and direction in learning his Kryptonian identity of Kal-El.

However, after the arrival of the uncompromising Superman villain General Zod and his Kryptonian forces, Clark is forced to make the ultimate leap of faith in revealing himself to the world as an alien refugee. With the Kryptonians sent back to the Phantom Zone, Clark is heartbroken in being forced to break Zod's neck, but he also finally learns he can make Earth his home after developing a connection with Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Amy Adams). With Clark joining Lois as a reporter for the Daily Planet, he ends Man of Steel ready to place his trust in humanity as Superman.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeSuperman approaching congress in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

While Clark feels optimistic at the end of Man of Steel, his belief that mankind will accept him is greatly tested in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. After Superman's destructive battle with Zod and his Kryptonian soldiers, mankind is evenly split on whether they see him as a savior or a possible threat, none more so than Ben Affleck's much darker rendition of Batman. Superman tries to soldier on in saving people wherever he can, simply seeing himself as "a guy trying to do the right thing," while his own concerns for Batman's vigilantism puts them at odds.

In the end, Batman and Superman come to see they have been manipulated to oppose each other by Bruce's fellow billionaire businessman Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), who holds a deep-seated hatred for Superman as a god who did not save him when he needed it. Superman ends up sacrificing himself to stop Lex's out-of-control Kryptonian monster Doomsday, with Batman and the world finally seeing him for the selfless hero that he has always been. With Lex warning of the arrival of the Justice League's arch-villain Darkseid (Ray Porter), Batman strives to follow Superman's example, forming the Justice League with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) to protect the world in Superman's absence.

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Zack Snyder's Justice LeagueCyborg, Superman, The Flash and Batman stand amidst the rubble of the final battle in Zack Snyder's Justice League

In Zack Snyder's Justice League, Superman's presence is initially felt through Batman and Wonder Woman and their fellow heroes. After recruiting The Flash (Ezra Miller), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), and Cyborg (Ray Fisher), the newly formed Justice League know they're up against a fearsome adversary in Steppenwolf (Ciarán Hinds) and his Parademon army. Upon realizing that one of the Mother Boxes can revive Superman, Batman leads the charge on the mission, telling the League "There's no us without him."

Upon his resurrection, Superman battles the League in an amnesiac stupor until Lois brings him back to his senses. Once his mind has cleared, Superman dons the black and silver version of his suit and takes to the skies more full of heroic confidence than ever. Despite Steppenwolf being a very powerful enemy, his attacks leave Superman "Not impressed," with Steppenwolf defeated and Earth saved by the Justice League. Though the League sees a glimpse of Darkseid on Apokolips, they are prepared for whatever challenge awaits them, with Superman having united all of them through his example, including the once-reclusive Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix).

Black Adam

Henry Cavill as Superman in Black Adam post credits scene

In Black Adam, Superman trades his black suit for his classic red and blue version, and his end-credits cameo reveals a lot about how much he has evolved. After Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is pulled out of his 5,000-year stasis, he rises to repel the forces of Intergang and Sabbac (Marwan Kenzari) from his nation of Kahndaq. Still, after he becomes Kahndaq's protector as Black Adam, Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) warns him not to transgress Kanhdaq's borders. Superman then arrives to tell him "we should talk," with Cavil's cameo showing him as a fully formed Superman.

Black Adam also builds on Superman's arc through his previous three films, with Superman commenting to Black Adam "It's been a while since anyone's made the world this nervous." Here, Black Adam references Batman v Superman and specifically Kal-El's own past as a metahuman mankind did not know if they could trust. Recognizing a kindred spirit of sorts in Black Adam, Superman arrives with the intent of diplomatically working things out with him. Still, as his past three movies show, Superman has lines he is prepared to draw, and Black Adam's proclivity for lethal force is one of them.

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Though Cavill's departure as Superman was a very unexpected development after his return in Black Adam, how easily he embodied The Last Son of Krypton demonstrates how perfectly cast Cavill was in the role. Whatever the future holds in both Cavill's post-Superman and post-Witcher career, his performances as Superman captures the essence of the S-shield adorned on his chest - it, indeed, is not an 'S.'

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