Henry Cavill will not return to play Superman

It was a sad day for DC fans, as Henry Cavill confirmed that he will no longer play the Man of Steel.

This was especially jarring as the actor announced in October that he will return as Superman, and even made a cameo as the character in "Black Adam," starring Dwayne Johnson. (CNN and DC Films are both part of the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

The actor explained on Instagram that he had a meeting with director James Gunn and British film producer Peter Safran, who are currently the co-chairmen and chief executive officers of DC Studios.

"I will, after all, not be returning as Superman," wrote Cavill. "After being told by the studio to announce my return back in October, prior to their hire, this news isn't the easiest, but that's life. The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that."

"Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there!" he wrote. "My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will. It's been a fun ride with you all, onwards and upwards."

Gunn also wrote on social media, that he and Safran "have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn't be more over-the-moon about; we'll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year."

"Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman's life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill," Gunn said.

Cavill also reportedly quit Netflix series "The Witcher" after leading it for three seasons, leaving the reins to Liam Hemsworth.