At least for modern audiences, it’s hard to think of Superman and not have an image of Henry Cavill come to mind, but the actor had serious doubts about whether he’d even land the role. Henry Cavill landed his first credited role in 2001 in a film where he played a minor supporting role. Yet, it wasn’t until a little over a decade later that he would land his first leading role as the face of the DCEU, Superman.

Up to that point, Cavill continued to tackle small supporting roles, and he embraced opportunities to expand his skills, but he was still largely unknown when he was cast in Man of Steel. And while many people fell in love with the casting, and his debut as Clark Kent immediately resonated with a huge fanbase, Cavill had his doubts. But having seen him star in these roles, it’s difficult to imagine a world where Cavill didn’t get the chance to play Superman, and define the character for a whole new generation of movie lovers.

From the moment Henry Cavill donned the suit in Man of Steel in 2013, it was clear that this man was Superman. Up to that point, there had been several iterations of Batman, and even a handful of actors who tackled the role of Superman in various projects, but the most notable was Christopher Reeve. Reeve played Superman in four separate films, and he became Superman for multiple generations. While new actors have tackled the role in the years since, Reeve stood apart as being a true embodiment and symbol of the hero.

From one of the biggest superheroes of all time to going head-to-head with Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill’s best movies and TV shows highlight his talents.

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Cavill managed to climb to those same heights, and like Reeve, he only ended up playing the character in four movies, and one director’s cut, over the span of ten years. Yet, despite his limited time on screen, Cavill remained an integral part of the DCEU. When the franchise began, it was Cavill leading the charge. And while it endured struggles, he was present during the ups and downs. Ultimately, ahead of the DCEU ending, Cavill had even announced a return to the role for upcoming films, but unfortunately, that didn’t pan out.

But surprisingly, despite being literally perfect for the role, Cavill was not confident that he would be cast as Superman. Of course, when it comes to tackling a huge iconic role such as Superman, there will be a lot of competition, and acquiring roles as a struggling actor is a tough gig at the best of times. However, Cavill spoke about the challenges he faced in tackling the role in an interview with GQ shortly before his debut in Man of Steel.

“I wasn’t in training. I wasn’t feeling fit or looking good, and you put on a Lycra suit and it does not help. I just thought – OK, I’m not getting this job. I’m fat Superman. It’ll be some really in-shape dude that when they step out they look amazing.”

It’s hard to imagine Cavill without the chiseled physique he has become well known for, but ahead of his casting as Clark Kent, it appears that he was not in the best of shape. This makes sense, because very few actors are ever required to get into peak physical condition that would make them a believable Superman, but Cavill’s concerns about how he looked clearly knocked his confidence in landing the role. However, Cavill did manage to impress with his auditions, and despite being a relatively unknown actor, he was cast to play the lead in the DCEU.

Why Henry Cavill Is A Perfect Superman Movie Casting

Cavill’s Knowledge Of The Character Runs Deep

There are many aspects of an actor’s performance that make or break their characters. For Cavill, he had the right look in terms of a strong jaw, thick black hair, and a handsome face. Beyond that, he has an air of charm, kindness, and warmth that adds to the character of Superman. But beyond any physical attributes, Cavill was dedicated. He worked incredibly hard to get the Superman physique, and then maintain it. He poured his time and attention into perfecting his performance, and when it came time to shoot, he delivered a convincing Kent, and a powerful Superman.

Henry Cavill perfectly summed up the potential of the DCEU’s most wasted character years before the franchise even had them make their debut.

On top of this, it didn’t hurt that Cavill is a huge self-professed nerd. Cavill thoroughly enjoys building computers, gaming online, and playing Dungeons & Dragons. His hobbies also include comic books, such as those about Superman, which led to the actor having a wealth of knowledge about the hero, and a desire to portray the character in ways that aligned with the source material. Henry Cavill understood the assignment when he was auditioning for the role of Superman, and while he didn’t have faith enough to believe he’d get the role, his experience and skills landed him the role of a lifetime.