Shocking DC Leak: Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck Ready to Return as Superman and Batman — But Only If Zack Snyder Directs

January 2026 has barely begun, and the DC fandom is already on fire. A bombshell leak from multiple high-level sources inside Warner Bros. has sent shockwaves through Hollywood: Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck are both open—eager, even—to don the capes of Superman and Batman once more. There’s just one non-negotiable condition: Zack Snyder must return to helm the project.

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Quiet, high-level discussions are reportedly underway at DC Studios, fueled by relentless fan pressure and a shifting landscape at Warner Bros. Cavill remains deeply attached to his grounded, mythic vision of the Man of Steel—a hero burdened by god-like power yet striving for humanity. Affleck, long thought to have closed the book on his battle-worn Dark Knight, has never truly let go of the character that redefined his career. The Snyderverse, many believed buried after James Gunn’s reboot, was never dead. It was only waiting. And this leak could be the spark that ignites a massive explosion across the entire DC Universe.

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Zack Snyder’s ‘Justice League’ cut proves DC is a sloppy mess …

The Birth of a Vision: Zack Snyder’s Bold DC Era

To understand why this potential comeback feels seismic, we must revisit the origins. Zack Snyder burst onto the superhero scene with Man of Steel in 2013, casting Henry Cavill as a Superman unlike any before: introspective, conflicted, a god among men grappling with his place in the world. The film grossed over $670 million worldwide and polarized critics, but it captivated audiences with its epic scale and philosophical depth.

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Snyder followed with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), introducing Ben Affleck as an older, brutalized Bruce Wayne—a Batman haunted by decades of loss, inspired by Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. The clash of titans earned $874 million but drew fierce criticism for its dark tone. Yet Affleck’s portrayal became a fan favorite: physically imposing, emotionally raw, the definitive comic-accurate Batman for a generation.

The pinnacle—and tragedy—was Justice League. Snyder’s family emergency forced him to step away, and Joss Whedon reshaped the film into a lighter, quippier affair. The 2017 theatrical cut bombed critically and commercially. But fans rallied. The #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement became legendary: billboards, plane banners, social media storms. In 2021, HBO Max delivered Zack Snyder’s Justice League—a four-hour epic restoring Snyder’s vision of hope emerging from despair, complete with Darkseid teases and Knightmare sequences.

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The Snyder Cut proved the power of fandom. It dominated streaming charts and reignited calls to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse—complete Snyder’s planned arc, including Justice League sequels featuring an evil Superman and a full Apokolips invasion.

The Reboot and the Divide

Then came the reset. James Gunn and Peter Safran took over DC Studios in 2022, launching a new DC Universe (DCU). Henry Cavill’s brief 2022 cameo in Black Adam teased a return, but Gunn recast Superman with David Corenswet for 2025’s Superman. Ben Affleck appeared in The Flash (2023) but stepped away. Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman faded. The Snyderverse was declared over.

Gunn’s Superman (2025) grossed around $616 million—solid but underwhelming for a reboot—and received mixed reviews for its lighter tone. Fans praised Corenswet but many missed Cavill’s gravitas. The DCU slate continues with Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (2026) and more, but cracks show: delays, shifting plans, and persistent Snyderverse nostalgia.

Meanwhile, Zack Snyder has kept the flame alive. In late 2025, he launched an Instagram account, posting black-and-white photos of Cavill as Superman (“Henry Cavill is Superman”), Affleck as Batman (“This man is Batman”), and others from his era. Fans exploded. #RestoreTheSnyderVerse trended again, especially amid Warner Bros. sale rumors involving Netflix—a platform Snyder already partners with.

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The Leak: Cavill and Affleck’s One Condition

Sources claim the turning point came quietly. Henry Cavill, now thriving in projects like The Witcher and upcoming films, has privately expressed unwavering loyalty to Snyder’s interpretation. “He sees it as unfinished,” one insider says. “Cavill believes his Superman had more to say—redemption, hope, sacrifice on a cosmic scale.”

Ben Affleck, scarred by the chaotic Justice League experience and his own directorial ambitions, was thought done forever. Yet recent comments hint at openness: “Anything is possible.” Sources reveal Affleck harbors fondness for his Batman—a character he researched deeply, bulking up to comic proportions and delivering brutal fight choreography. But like Cavill, he insists: only with Snyder.

The condition stems from trust. Snyder gave them iconic, layered roles. Studio interference derailed the vision. Now, with fan campaigns louder than ever and DC’s new era facing scrutiny, executives are listening. Discussions allegedly involve a standalone project—perhaps a Man of Steel sequel or Knightmare-focused event—separate from Gunn’s DCU, possibly as an Elseworlds tale or Netflix exclusive.

Fan Fury and the Cultural Shift

The #RestoreTheSnyderVerse movement never died. From 2021’s triumph, it evolved into billboards, petitions, and viral art imagining Cavill vs. Darkseid or Affleck’s Batman leading a resistance. In 2025, Snyder’s posts reignited it. Fans argue the Snyderverse’s mythic tone contrasts Gunn’s lighter approach, offering diversity in DC storytelling.

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Restore The Snyder Verse!! : r/SnyderCut

Critics call it toxic nostalgia, but supporters point to successes: The Batman (2022) thrived as an Elseworlds noir. Why not Snyder’s epic?

What Could This Mean for DC?

If true, this return could shatter the multiverse wide open. Cavill’s Superman facing Brainiac? Affleck’s Batman mentoring a new generation? A full Justice League 2 with Darkseid? Sources hint at “explosive” potential, perhaps tying into Warner’s evolving strategy amid ownership changes.

James Gunn has remained diplomatic, praising Snyder while focusing on his vision. But pressure mounts. Fans demand choice: Corenswet’s hopeful Superman alongside Cavill’s seasoned god.

As leaks swirl and Snyder teases more photos, one truth emerges: the Snyderverse isn’t buried. It’s rising. Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck stand ready. The capes await. And if Zack Snyder calls—they’ll answer.

The DC Universe may never be the same.