Warning: This contains SPOILERS for Black Adam!
Henry Cavill's Superman officially returns in Justice League can finally be put to rest thanks to Dwayne Johnson. Black Adam's post-credits scene welcomes Superman back to the DCEU in an epic fashion, as he comes face-to-face with Black Adam in Khandaq after the anti-hero stands up to Amanda Waller's threat. For Superman's first full appearance in a DCEU project in five years, it is one that audiences will not quickly stop talking about.
Seeing Henry Cavill's Superman stand up against The Rock's villain after Black Adam's ending clearly shows his importance going forward. However, since Superman has been on the sidelines and mishandled for so long, it also creates questions about what will come next. Even Black Adam's Superman scene might create confusion about his allegiances in the DCEU at this point. But with the Man of Steel squarely back in the cards for the shared universe, here is what Henry Cavill's Superman future looks like and some answers to Black Adam's biggest questions.
Why Henry Cavill's Superman Returns In Black Adam's Post-Credits Scene
Plans for Henry Cavill's Superman return took on various forms over the last five years, but Black Adam was long thought to be the perfect place to bring him back. Dwayne Johnson made it quite clear he wanted the Kryptonian hero to be in his movie and the DCEU at large. He pushed for Black Adam's Superman cameo for a long time and finally got approval after going around former DC Films head Walter Hamada according to reports. Since Johnson built a huge fan base around listening to audiences, he knew how many people wanted to see Henry Cavill's Superman return. Black Adam became the best place for that to happen.
Henry Cavill's Superman return took a big step forward after the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, as the studio's new leadership agreed with the sentiment that the Man of Steel needed to return to theaters - and quickly. That is why Superman's cameo in Black Adam's post-credits scene materialized. It allowed The Rock to get his wish of teasing audiences with the highly anticipated fight between Superman and Black Adam, but it also helped the DCEU reaffirm that Superman is part of the future. Black Adam also happened to be the next DCEU movie coming to theaters and the ideal spot for Henry Cavill's return.
Why Is Superman Working For Amanda Waller? Is He On The Suicide Squad?
Part of the surprise in Black Adam's post-credits and Superman's appearance is the implication that he is working with Amanda Waller. Best known for overseeing DC's Suicide Squad, Black Adam expands Waller's authority by showing her working with superheroes like the Justice Society. Now it appears that even Superman is somewhat under her control and willing to help her. There is no clear explanation for why Superman would take orders from or work for Amanda Waller. But since the movie presents Black Adam as such a significant threat, even Superman may be willing to let aid Waller after her failed attempts to imprison Black Adam in Task Force X.
There is also the potential that Superman is working with Amanda Waller in the same capacity as the Justice Society. Black Adam teases that Hawkman has a list of superheroes at his disposal for various missions, meaning the Justice Society team can constantly evolve. In addition to working with the Justice League, Superman could be part of the Justice Society. Now that Doctor Fate is out of the picture, Hawkman and Waller could have agreed to bring Superman into the loop so that their side has someone powerful enough to stop Black Adam if needed.
Where Are Superman's Justice League Teammates In Black Adam?
The appearance of Henry Cavill's Superman in Black Adam also raises questions about why the rest of his Justice League teammates are not with him. The movie's events seem to take place before Peacemaker's Justice League cameo, and the HBO Max series showed that Superman was still working with the team at that point. His quick arrival after Black Adam destroys Amanda Waller's drone indicates that he was on standby for such an outcome. It is then strange that the rest of his teammates, especially powerful ones like Wonder Woman and Aquaman, are not also willing to interfere. The best potential explanation is that the rest of the Justice League would be no match for Black Adam's power anyway.
When Will Henry Cavill's Superman Fight The Rock's Black Adam?
The meeting of Henry Cavill's Superman and The Rock's Black Adam includes the Man of Steel mentioning that they need to talk. However, what everyone really wants to see is Superman and Black Adam fight in a movie. The Rock and Cavill have both teased their interest in such a cinematic battle, so Black Adam's post-credits scene brings that one step closer. The most likely place Superman and Black Adam will fight in the DCEU is arguably Black Adam 2. The sequel is not officially announced, but it would make sense for The Rock to bring Henry Cavill's Superman back for the sequel and finally let the characters square off.
Is Henry Cavill's Superman Returning For Man of Steel 2?
Now that Henry Cavill is back in the DCEU as Superman, it appears that Man of Steel 2 movie are unknown, but the new solo film will theoretically build on Superman's appearance in Black Adam.
It is unknown when Man of Steel 2 will arrive, as the studios are still searching for the creative team to shepherd this next chapter in Superman's DCEU story. Based on the excitement around Henry Cavill's return to the role, it would not be surprising if Man of Steel 2 is fast-tracked under DC's new leadership. That could mean the long-awaited sequel could be in theaters within the next few years. As for what it will be about, Henry Cavill has long expressed his interest in Brainiac being the villain of Man of Steel 2, but it is unclear if that fits with DC's new 10-year plan.
Is Henry Cavill Returning As Superman In Other DCEU Movies?
Henry Cavill's Superman return in Black Adam is a promise that more is coming, even beyond a potential Man of Steel 2 or role in Black Adam 2. There is now a strong chance that he will return in other DCEU movies, even if nothing is confirmed right now. Henry Cavill's Superman returning in Ben Affleck's Batman returning in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, perhaps Henry Cavill will also make a surprise Superman appearance.
Looking ahead to the DCEU's future, there are other places for Superman to return. It would be fun to see him in Justice League 2. Where exactly Henry Cavill's Superman will appear after Black Adam is not known, but there are clearly some exciting possibilities.
