Henry Cavill Warhammer 40K NDA Sparks Speculation

The narrative of Warhammer 40,000 evolves at a glacial pace, with Games Workshop often taking years to advance its overarching plot. Consider the return of the revered Primarch Lion El'Jonson, announced in March 2023. Yet, more than two years later, little has been done with the character—his much-anticipated reunion with his brother Roboute Guilliman feels more distant than ever.

Tantalizing story threads remain unresolved for years, sometimes decades. Answers stay frustratingly elusive, and cliffhangers linger in perpetual suspense, seemingly never resolved. This is the essence of Games Workshop’s grimdark 41st millennium, which has surged in popularity over the past decade. Now, even minor hints at narrative progression are scrutinized intensely, as if under the Inquisition’s watchful gaze.

Enter the latest Facebook post by acclaimed Black Library author Dan Abnett. As one of the most influential voices in Warhammer 40,000, Abnett's works—including the beloved Gaunt's Ghosts and Eisenhorn series, as well as pivotal entries in The Horus Heresy—have shaped much of the lore fans cherish today.

Let’s focus on Eisenhorn, the subject of recent speculation. This sci-fi crime trilogy follows Inquisitors Gregor Eisenhorn and Gideon Ravenor (the latter even getting his own spin-off series) as they hunt heretics and daemons while resisting the corrupting influence of Chaos. Unlike the sprawling galaxy-wide conflicts typical of Warhammer 40,000, the Eisenhorn saga offers a tighter, more focused narrative.

The story expands with Alizebeth Bequin, an Inquisitorial agent who stars in her own spin-off series. The first book, Pariah, released in 2012, was followed by Penitent in 2021—a near-decade-long wait. Now, fans eagerly await the third installment, Pandaemonium, but with no release date in sight, the anticipation has drawn comparisons to George R.R. Martin’s long-delayed The Winds of Winter.

Why the fervor for Pandaemonium? Because it promises major lore implications. Penitent ended with a bombshell revelation (regarding the mysterious King in Yellow, which we won't spoil here), meaning Pandaemonium could reshape the setting. Fans are clamoring for answers—and for Abnett to finish the book already.

Which brings us to Abnett's recent Facebook post, where he promoted his appearance at the Broadside Games Show in Kent, England, while addressing the delay:

Just a heads-up—my posts often trigger demands for Pandaemonium (Bequin Book 3). I'm thrilled you're excited, but the release isn't up to me. Due to an NDA, I can’t discuss why it—and other projects—are on hold. Rest assured, it’s coming. Until then, patience… and maybe check out my current work.

Peace, love, and shooty-death-kill-in-space. See you Saturday.

Abnett’s NDA prevents him from explaining why Pandaemonium is delayed, but a Reddit post from March adds fuel to the fire. A fan claimed Abnett hinted that the book’s lore impact must align with an upcoming TV show—likely Henry Cavill’s Warhammer 40,000 adaptation for Amazon.

Speaking of which: Cavill’s involvement as both star and executive producer has fans buzzing. Though details are scarce, speculation points to Eisenhorn as a prime candidate for adaptation. The series’ smaller scale makes it more feasible than, say, the epic Horus Heresy.

If true, Abnett’s NDA makes sense—his saga may be key to Amazon’s plans. With Games Workshop ensuring continuity between books and screen, Pandaemonium’s revelations must wait. Unfortunately, this could delay the book further, especially since Amazon’s first project is years away.

In the meantime, let’s embrace the speculation. Could Cavill be playing Eisenhorn? Earlier this week, he mentioned the "tricky" challenge of adapting Warhammer 40,000—perhaps bringing the Inquisitor to life is part of that.