The Superman star plays a ruthless CIA agent in the sixth film in the franchise

Action man: Henry Cavill became ‘oblivious’ to death-defying stunts

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Henry Cavill said that he was “oblivious to the level of danger” while filming stunts for the new Mission: Impossible movie.

The British actor, 35, stars opposite Tom Cruise in the sixth film in the action franchise, Mission: Impossible — Fallout, which has been described as one of the most stunt-filled movies of all time.

Cruise, who famously does most of his own stunts, was left with a broken foot after he jumped from rooftop to rooftop during shooting in London last year.

Cavill was also involved in many stunts in his role as ruthless CIA agent August Walker. He described how the filming of a lengthy helicopter fight scene opposite Cruise left him dangling over a canyon.

Stunt-heavy: Henry Cavill plays a ruthless CIA agent
AFP/Getty Images

“The helicopter sequence was nuts, in fact it was so often nuts that I just became oblivious to the level of danger that was going on,” he said. “We were flying through a canyon and if you were standing at the edge of the rotors you could probably touch the canyon walls — it was that interesting but beautiful too, so quite the experience.”

Cavill, who is best known for playing Superman in the DC Extended Universe, told A-List: “It was all difficult, none of it was easy but I enjoy it. I enjoy that kind of physicality and hard work.

“My stunt double Adrien and the team made it easy on me because they were friendly, they were kind, they were professional, they were patient and they knew that I wanted to do it.”

Despite making a name for himself in big screen blockbusters, Cavill — who lives in London — said he is keen to explore all genres, and might return to the stage at some point.