Henry Cavill won't be returning to Superman role, takes on 'Warhammer 40,000' instead

Henry Cavill has officially hung up the iconic red cape but he's bringing a popular strategy game to life instead.  

The actor, who portrayed the DC Comics character Superman in 2013’s “Man of Steel,” 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and 2017’s “Justice League,” revealed Wednesday that he will not be reprising the superhero role in an Instagram post. 

But, Cavill, 39, announced Friday he'd be taking on a new project. The actor will be starring and executive producing a "Warhammer 40,000" franchise for Amazon Studios, based on the tabletop war game that was first released in the 1980s.

"For 30 years I have dreamt of seeing a Warhammer universe in live action. Now, after 22 years of experience in this industry, I finally feel that I have the skill set and experience to guide a Warhammer Cinematic Universe into life," Cavill wrote on Instagram. "I promise to bring you something familiar. And I endeavour to bring you something fantastic that is, as of yet, unseen."

Cavill added that his "first steps" for "Warhammer" include finding a filmmaker, creator and writer.

"For the emperor!" he wrote.

Fans of Cavill's superman were looking forward to the actor wearing an "S" on his chest again after he made a cameo in “Black Adam” earlier this year, which signaled a return to the role for future films.

But it's a no for Cavill fans.

“I have just had a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran and it’s sad news, everyone. I will, after all, not be returning as Superman,” Cavill wrote on Instagram Wednesday. “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.”

Gunn, the writer-director behind “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “The Suicide Squad,” and Safran, a veteran executive, were named co-chairmen and CEOs of the newly formed DC Studios in October.

“We’re honored to be the stewards of these DC characters we’ve loved since we were children,” said Gunn and Safran in a written statement. “Our commitment to Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Harley Quinn and the rest of the DC stable of characters is only equaled by our commitment to the wonder of human possibility these characters represent.

“We’re excited to invigorate the theatrical experience around the world as we tell some of the biggest, most beautiful, and grandest stories ever told.”

In October, Cavill announced he'd be leaving his role in Netflix's fantasy series "The Witcher" saying he would not be joining for Season 4. Liam Hemsworth will be taking his place, instead.

Cavill talked about his “Black Adam” cameo, as well as his affection for the Superman character, in an interview with USA TODAY in November.

“Superman is a formative part of my career and my development over the past 11 years,” Cavill said. “I very much missed giving the audience the Superman which they were calling out for and the Superman which they desired."

As he concluded his Instagram post Wednesday, Cavill said while his tenure as the Man of Steel has come to a close, the legacy of Superman endures.

“My turn to wear the cape has passed, but what Superman stands for never will,” Cavill wrote.

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Contributing: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY; Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Henry Cavill leads 'Warhammer' production, won't be reprising Superman