Not that he needs too much help to turn a movie into a hit franchise, but Henry Cavill’s upcoming film, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, has the potential to be the actor’s next big project. Cavill is a Hollywood star in his own right, but following one devastating flop of a movie and the disappointing return and quick exit from the new DC universe, he needs a win. Thankfully, one of the actor’s future projects shows great promise and has the opportunity to be Cavill’s next career-defining role (after his run as Superman in Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League, of course).
Following the highs and lows of 2022, Cavill is due for success. Although he was the picture-perfect Clark Kent, the DC Extended Universe was not built for longevity or success. It was only a matter of time before Cavill stepped away from the role, but once he did, he almost returned. James Gunn and Peter Safran stepped in as the new co-CEOs of DC Studios and had plans to bring Cavill’s Superman back until they didn’t. They decided to go in a different direction, and as a result, Cavill lost Superman and The Witcher. However, things are looking up for the actor, and 2024 could be his year.
Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare Can Give Henry Cavill & Guy Ritchie The Spy Franchise Man From U.N.C.L.E. Failed To
Before Henry Cavill stepped away from the roles of Superman and Geralt of Rivia, he experienced one other heartbreak — the box office bombing of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The 2015 spy film was directed by Guy Ritchie, and Warner Bros. Pictures expected it to spawn a franchise. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, seeing as it only earned $107 million at the box office against a $75 – 84 million budget. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. featured Cavill as Napoleon Solo, a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agent in the 1960s. The movie was based on the 1964 television show of the same name that ran for four seasons on NBC.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. received mixed reviews from critics, but audiences loved it. Nevertheless, the overall underwhelming response to the 2015 film meant that talks about a possible sequel were put on the back burner. The production studio originally had plans for the film to be the first installment into a franchise of movies starring Cavill as Napoleon Solo, but those dreams came and went after the film’s negative reaction. However, Cavill’s upcoming 2024 action spy movie, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, could be everything that The Man From U.N.C.L.E. wasn’t.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is set to premiere sometime in 2024, and it features Cavill as a World War II action hero. It is assumed that the actor is taking on the role of the lead character, but more information regarding the part will come at a later date. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is based on the 2014 book Churchill’s Secret Warriors: The Explosive True Story of the Special Forces Desperadoes of WWII by Damien Lewis and is directed by Guy Ritchie, the same filmmaker who created The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Consequentially, the upcoming movie could lead to a franchise for Cavill and Ritchie.
Argylle Can Also Give Henry Cavill Another Spy Franchise
Aside from The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Henry Cavill has another spy film that fans can look forward to in 2024 — Argylle. It seems as if he is putting all his stock into this genre, and no one could blame him, given his previous impressive action roles. Argylle is set to premiere on February 2, 2024, and aside from Cavill, the star-studded cast includes Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, John Cena, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, Rob Delaney, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, and Samuel L. Jackson.
The spy action thriller film, which was directed by Matthew Vaughn, tells the story of a world-renowned spy (likely Cavill’s character) who gets amnesia and is led to believe that he only writes about his adventures as a best-selling spy novelist rather than living them. Of course, the protagonist eventually gets his memories back and is determined to learn the truth of what happened to him and who targeted him. Argylle certainly has an intriguing premise and a cast full of big names, which gives it the potential to succeed, not only in its own right but also in the future with possible sequels.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Deserved Better (So It’s Good Henry Cavill Is Getting Another Shot)
Even though The Man From U.N.C.L.E. flopped at the box office and received lukewarm reviews, it was not a bad film. In fact, it was the opposite. Guy Ritchie’s 2015 spy movie was an enthralling adventure from beginning to end. It was beautifully shot. The film was the perfect balance of humor and action. Plus, Henry Cavill was brilliant as Napoleon Solo. Unfortunately, none of this mattered, and the movie’s abysmal box office numbers were the only statistic that the studio needed to put an end to any possible sequel.
It’s time to leave The Man From U.N.C.L.E. in the past and look ahead to Cavill’s future work. He is getting two more chances at headlining a possible spy franchise with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Argylle. Hopefully, they both succeed, but Cavill is too talented not to be the face of a spy film series, and his time is coming in 2024. Related: Henry Cavill’s New Movie Makes Up For His Missed James Bond Opportunity
Do Henry Cavill’s 2 Upcoming Spy Franchises Rule Him Out Of Being The Next James Bond?
Following Daniel Craig’s retirement as James Bond, many are speculating about who will play the iconic 007 spy next, and Henry Cavill’s name has (unsurprisingly) come up a few times. However, if either The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare or Argylle is successful and leads to more films, Cavill could be out of the running as the next James Bond. Taking on the prominent role is a big task, and it would theoretically be difficult to be the star of three different spy franchises, especially if one is James Bond.
However, if Cavill’s upcoming action films are only standalone projects, the door could still be open for Cavill to assume the role of James Bond. Other rumored names include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Regé-Jean Page, Lashana Lynch, Henry Golding, and many more, but Cavill could still potentially land the part. But it might depend on the success of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Argylle.
