‘Superman’ fans aren’t happy with Zach Snyder calling Henry Cavill the “greatest of all time”

Superman fans have criticised Zach Snyder for calling Henry Cavill the “greatest Superman of all time”.

It comes after the Man Of Steel director sent the star a message on X on his 42nd birthday alongside a behind-the-scenes photo of the actor.

“Happy Birthday to my friend, amazing actor, and greatest Superman of all time,” Snyder wrote.

Along with Man Of Steel, Cavill went on to star as Superman, in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice and 2017’s Justice League. He also made a cameo at the end of Black Adam in 2022 before James Gunn confirmed Cavill would no longer be involved in his vision of the DC Universe.

Happy Birthday to my friend, amazing actor, and greatest Superman of all time. #MoS, #BvS #ZSJL pic.twitter.com/1sKYSdNnzH

— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) May 5, 2025

The post was heavily criticised by fans who pointed out that the late Christopher Reeve who starred in the original Superman films, was the greatest.

“He’s good but he’s not even close sorry,” one wrote while another added: “Sorry, second best, but yes, Happy Birthday, Henry!”

Another argued that the greatest “will always be Christopher reeves.. I’m sorry,, it’s just the law. These guys are all great but there’s only one.”

The greatest Superman of all time is Christopher Reeve pic.twitter.com/JVWAKCb4L8

— kara (@DCUSupergirl) May 5, 2025

he's good but he's not even close sorry pic.twitter.com/4vGizpa4kT

— @stevenvoiceover (@stevenvoiceover) May 5, 2025

Sorry, second best, but yes, Happy Birthday, Henry!

— kovy1 (@KOVALEV022473) May 6, 2025

Christopher Reeve better pic.twitter.com/mchMJJ9huc

— The Travel Tinker (@TheTravelTinker) May 6, 2025

#Gsmoat will always be Christopher reeves..
I’m sorry,, it’s just the law.
These guys are all great but there’s only one #gsmoat.

— mattp (@mappikko) May 6, 2025

He’s was a great Superman but sadly the whole idea of the JL was bad from the first movie and the ZS JL-that’s why he isn’t the greatest Superman I’d pick reeves any day he was and is the greatest Superman of all time let’s see what Gunn has to offer-HB Cavill

— YukinaKris (@YukinaKris) May 5, 2025

Ironically Cavill is also wearing a replica of Christopher Reeve’s Superman suit from the original 1978 film in Snyder’s post.

Elsewhere, David Corenswet will take up the role in Gunn’s forthcoming Superman reboot which is out in cinemas on July 11.

Following the first trailer last year, many Cavill fans roundly panned it with many criticising the suit and slamming the Man Of Steel star’s removal from the DC Universe.

The reboot of the iconic series is set to become the first movie in the DC Universe (DCU), a soft reboot of the old DC Extended Universe which will have a united continuity across all works. It’ll be followed next year by Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow and Clayface.

Alongside Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan plays his love interest Lois Lane, while Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion and Isabela Merced all feature too. Jack Quaid, meanwhile, said last year that he auditioned for the title role, admitting: “I didn’t get very far.”

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