Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has been one of the most discussed elements of the franchise, drawing both admiration and criticism from fans and critics alike. However, there’s one movie in particular that Cavill has expressed a desire to “delete” from history—Justice League (2017).

While Cavill’s take on Superman in Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) painted the iconic hero in a darker, more serious light, Justice League presented a radically different version of the Man of Steel. In this film, Superman is resurrected and depicted with a more lighthearted and even playful tone, a sharp contrast to the brooding, conflicted character Cavill had worked to create in earlier DCEU entries.

Cavill has openly acknowledged his dissatisfaction with how Superman was handled in Justice League, particularly because the shift in tone felt disconnected from the character’s arc that had been established in the previous films. His vision for Superman was rooted in a complex, evolving hero—one who struggled with his place in the world and the weight of his responsibility. However, Justice League didn’t align with this vision, and as a result, Cavill felt his portrayal of Superman was compromised.

The production of Justice League was also marred by behind-the-scenes turmoil, which added to Cavill’s frustration. The film underwent extensive reshoots and a rushed post-production process, which affected the final product. These issues likely contributed to the lack of coherence in Superman’s character arc and to Cavill’s discontent with the movie as a whole. In an ideal world, Cavill might have preferred that Justice League never existed in the form it did, as it didn’t fully represent the vision he had for his iconic role.

Cavill’s wish to “delete” Justice League isn’t merely about the tone of the film—it’s about his belief that the character of Superman was misrepresented. The movie’s portrayal of the hero felt like a departure from the deeper, more grounded approach Cavill had championed for the character, leading to his desire to wipe it from the history books.

For Cavill, Justice League represents a missed opportunity, not just for his Superman, but for the broader DCEU narrative. And while the actor has since moved on to other projects, the shadow of his dissatisfaction with this particular film remains a part of his legacy within the superhero genre.

In the world of superheroes, sometimes even the Man of Steel has a dark secret—Justice League is Henry Cavill’s.