Since the release of “Man of Steel” in 2013, the DCEU has experienced a rollercoaster journey, yet Henry Cavill’s dedication to playing Superman has only grown more admirable over time. Prior to his DCEU debut, Cavill had appeared in just a few movies, such as the Greek mythological epic “Immortals” and the fantasy adventure “Stardust.” However, Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” and the following DCEU films established him as a household name and endeared him to many Superman enthusiasts. While David Corenswet may be the new face of tomorrow in James Gunn’s Superman reboot, Cavill’s portrayal is unlikely to be forgotten by audiences.
Cavill not only embodied the Kryptonian hero’s compassion and optimism but also delved into his sometimes impulsive nature, distinguishing him from other actors who have taken on the live-action Superman role. His dramatic skills were matched by his physical dedication; Cavill’s rigorous training and bulking efforts turned the DCEU Superman into a powerhouse in the franchise’s action scenes, ranging from high-speed confrontations with Zod and Batman to his solo fight against the Justice League Justice League. More than a decade later, the British actor’s physical devotion to the role renders his interpretation of Superman all the more compelling.
Before landing the lead role in “Man of Steel,” Henry Cavill had a leaner physique for “Immortals.” To embody the ancient Greek hero Theseus, the 6’1″ actor, weighing 170 pounds, needed to gain more mass for Superman. Mark Twight, a gym trainer who had worked with Zack Snyder on “300,” was brought on as Cavill’s trainer. Twight and Cavill agreed on a non-negotiable term: a minimum of ten hours of sleep nightly, as reported by Muscle and Fitness. Cavill’s workout routine included deadlifts, front-and-back squats, and kettlebell swings.
Behind-the-scenes footage from Flashback FilmMaking showed Cavill doing pull-ups and lifting weights between takes, occasionally in his costume. To enhance the realism of his hand-to-hand combat, he also sparred with Twight. Cavill ramped up his calorie intake to 5,000-6,000 calories per day before shooting began. He later halved this intake and started on light supplements such as multivitamins and essential fatty acids. Initially, Cavill’s deadlift was under 300 pounds, but he eventually hit a personal best of 435 pounds. Other impressive feats included a 245-pound push press and a 365-pound back squat.
What Henry Cavill Has Said About His DCEU Superman Movie Workout Routine
Cavill’s Workout Made Him Feel Literally Like Superman
This was when Cavill was finishing the final rep of his final set of front squats of the day. But the strain from the 305-pound barbell on his shoulders froze his legs. With his knees turning inward, Twight thought that Cavill was ready to give up and dump the bar off his shoulders. But somehow, Cavill regained his stance and finished the set. To put it in his words, “It wasn’t because of the number that I felt good. It’s because I pushed past what I thought was possible…I felt like I earned the right to try and represent Superman.”
How Long Did Henry Cavill Workout For His Superman Movie Role?
A Few Months And Sporadic Weekly Workouts Helped Cavill
While his workouts for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League coincided with his training for other projects like Netflix’s The Witcher, the most Superman-focused workouts were for Man of Steel. Cavill began working out before filming began, and Men’s Health reports that his grueling mass-building journey under Mark Twight lasted six months. Cavill dedicated numerous hours to five-day workouts. According to Muscle & Fitness, the days eventually began fluctuating. So, five days turned into two/three-day workouts as filming commenced. But considering Cavill had built a strong base already, the actor could still maintain his impressive, all-natural physique.
While many subtle details made Henry Cavill’s Superman perfect, Zack Snyder was keen on making his version of Superman muscular right from the start. So, Cavill doesn’t just look buff in costume but also when he’s Clark Kent. Much like his Spartan heroes in 300, Snyder was keen on featuring Cavill in shirtless scenes to represent his brute force. With Snyder shooting two such scenes over three weeks, Cavill was required to achieve and maintain the “peak form” of his upper body for these three weeks. The six-month training finally paid off with Cavil displaying impeccable form as DCEU’s Superman.
Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Superman in the DCEU is notable for being the most muscular on-screen version of the character to date. Although it’s premature to compare Cavill’s build with that of David Corenswet, who is currently undergoing physical training and filming James Gunn’s Superman, Cavill’s transformation and increased body mass surpass those of previous live-action Supermen, such as Brandon Routh in Superman Returns and Christopher Reeve in the original 1978 Superman and its sequels. Routh’s portrayal was leaner, in part because Superman Returns was a continuation of Reeve’s films.
Christopher Reeve also developed considerable muscle mass through a natural fitness routine. However, when Reeve’s Superman premiered in the 1970s, the expectation for heroes to have defined abs and large biceps was not as prevalent. Reeve disclosed in a 1998 interview with Ability Magazine that he had gained 30 lbs for the role. Cavill experienced a similar weight increase, bulking up from his Immortals weight of 170-175 lbs to 200-205 lbs within six months. Yet, it is Cavill’s shoulder-to-waist ratio and chest size that have established him as the most physically imposing Superman, thanks to his intense and regular workout regimen.
