Kingsman series writer-director Matthew Vaughn is still hoping to make a colorful and fun Superman movie with the DC Extended Universe’s (DCEU) reigning actor in the role, Henry Cavill. The filmmaker shared his aspiration during a recent interview with TheWrap, during which he also revealed that he pitched an idea for a potential Man of Steel sequel in 2017 to the DCEU’s distributor, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Vaughn was rumored to be the top choice to helm the purported follow-up to Man of Steel, which was helmer Zack Snyder’s 2013 Superman reboot. But the studio ultimately decided to release Justice League in 2017 instead. When the ensemble superhero drama eventually received a negative critical response and was a box office disappointment, Cavill decided not to reprise his role of Superman in any further movies.
So Vaughn ultimately went on to pen, direct and produce The King’s Man, the third entry in the Kingsman franchise. The series’ prequel is now playing in theaters.
During the interview, the filmmaker also revealed that he “was desperate to do a Superman film.” He added that also “pitched a big Superman movie before they made Man of Steel…I still think there’s room for a new Superman film, but a proper Superman film. A colorful, fun Superman movie. Not a dark one.”
Vaughn also noted that he thinks Man of Steel was “a great Superman movie.” However, he believes it was a mistake to follow it up with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. “I just thought it was a mistake putting the Batman vibe into the Superman world. I just think they’re separate — they’re just not relatable in any way, in my mind. [Their movies] should be fun.”
The filmmaker added that he and Cavill would “go off and make a great Superman movie” if they were given the opportunity. But he confessed he doesn’t know who currently runs DC.
Vaughn was able to finally work with Cavill on their upcoming Apple action-spy movie, Argylle, which the filmmaker directed and produced. He said: “I just got to work with Henry Cavill, which was lovely, on Argylle and he’s unbelievable in it.”
The filmmaker, who garnered experience in the superhero genre when he scribed and helmed Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class, added: “I loved the [Richard] Donner Superman movie, and I think Wonder Woman worked because [it] was basically remaking [Donner’s] Superman in a weird way…I love Superman.”
