Before DC Universe's reboot under James Gunn, Warner Bros. reportedly considered Michael Bay, renowned for Transformers, to helm a Man of Steel sequel starring Henry Cavill.

TheWrap revealed executives Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy explored developing a standalone Superman film led by Cavill in 2022, with Bay potentially directing. These plans preceded Gunn and Peter Safran's appointment as DC Studios co-heads, finalized in October 2022 — coinciding with Warner Bros.' efforts to reinstate Cavill as Superman.

Ultimately, those plans dissolved, paving the way for Gunn and Safran's DCU revamp. By December 2022, Cavill officially departed the franchise, merely two months after their hiring.

Unfulfilled Teases in the DCEU

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Since then, Superman's trajectory has shifted dramatically. David Corenswet — notable for Pearl and Netflix's Hollywood — now inherits the iconic role in Gunn's reboot, joined by Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Still, speculation lingers: what might Bay and Cavill have achieved with another attempt?

Both remain prolific: Cavill stars in upcoming projects like Highlander and Voltron adaptations, while Bay recently directed the parkour documentary We Are Storror. Despite rumors linking him to Skibidi Toilet, Bay publicly denied involvement last month.

James Gunn's Superman premieres July 11, 2025.