Following all the hype surrounding Marvel moving forward with a black Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, you might think the news that Warner Bros. is developing a Superman reboot with a black lead would likewise be met with a positive response from fans. But that’s not the case. When the announcement first came in February, folks were open to it but further revelations have caused fans to get so riled up that they’re considering boycotting the film.
First of all, THR dropped their story on the Superman reboot on Henry Cavill’s birthday, which those loyal to the DCEU’s Man of Steel saw as disrespectful to the actor. What’s more, it’s been confirmed that WB’s black Superman will still be Kal-El of Krypton, which has led folks to hit back at the studio for race-bending the original character instead of using the likes of Calvin Ellis or Val-Zod from the comics.
This boycott movement isn’t as solidified as something like the #RestoreTheSnyderVerse campaign yet, but it’s been picking up steam on social media over the past day. For starters, Cavill’s supporters are not ready for his tenure as the Kryptonian to be over.
https://twitter.com/BeingKing__/status/1390025445005877248
It's over for me.. I'm going to boycott every #ToxicWarnerbros from now.. #HenryCavill will always be the best superman!!
— Imagination #SnyderCut (@dilsstar) May 5, 2021
Typical @warnerbros. Today is Henry Cavill's birthday and they release a useless Article on their future superman for the DCEU. I'm going to boycott DCEU movies because of their toxicity. #HenryCavillSuperman
— Eastside Hov (@RealPeterPhiri) May 5, 2021
The Flashes hugging = Disney and Marvel. Captain America vs. Captain America = WB and DC.
Very true #boycott_wb_superman_reboot #HenryCavillSuperman #RestoreTheSndyerVerse pic.twitter.com/FGANtveY4t
— ⬜️RestoreTheSnyderVerse⬛️ (@SaveDCFromWB1) May 6, 2021
Others are going one step further and boycotting all DCEU projects.
Just canceled my HBOMax. Tired of WB's crap. For me, it's #HenryCavill or bust. #RestoreTheSnyderVerse #BoycottWarnerBros #BoycottWB
— Karl (@godkarl) May 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/BadassCorky/status/1390251797319622665
Warner Bros. screwing things up one after another. If it were Val-Zod and set outside the main DCEU, I would be interested in watching. However, since they changed Kal-El into a Black-themed Superman for the DCEU, I shall boycott it. #BoycottWarnerBros #RestoreTheSnyderVerse https://t.co/32ODlY7vay
— Jeffrey Ballesteros (@jb90703) May 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/RanomilThe/status/1390243645714931713
Some are conflicted, though, as they want to support more POC-led blockbusters, but not this specific one.
https://twitter.com/KhameekJ03/status/1389954034845560842
It’s the issue of changing the original character that’s the problem for others.
Warner Bros. screwing things up one after another. If it were Val-Zod and set outside the main DCEU, I would be interested in watching. However, since they changed Kal-El into a Black-themed Superman for the DCEU, I shall boycott it. #BoycottWarnerBros #RestoreTheSnyderVerse https://t.co/32ODlY7vay
— Jeffrey Ballesteros (@jb90703) May 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/filiflicky/status/1389962847996858374
Meanwhile, a few folks are warning fans not to get caught up in the hate as they send WB a message.
If #Superman fans want to boycott the Supes reboot, cool go for it. But don't harassh the new actor to the wear the cape. Not there fault. Instead stick to your guns and hurt WB in the wallet by having the movie flop. Its about sending a message, not acting insane. Got it? pic.twitter.com/yzzLoNm0ke
— KnightWing (@KwingReviews) May 6, 2021
It seems like Warner Bros. just can’t catch a break. They must’ve thought they’d struck gold when they got J.J. Abrams on board to relaunch the Superman franchise. Not to mention hiring critically acclaimed Marvel Comics scribe Ta-Nehisi Coates to pen the script. However, the DC fandom’s loyalty to Cavill, plus some controversial storytelling decisions, have made this another PR disaster for the studio. I guess we’ll have to see if they can turn things around as the project gains steam.
