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The Story Behind Henry Cavill’s Superman Casting

2 years ago by Rob Keyes 

henry cavill as clark kent in superman man of steel The Story Behind Henry Cavills Superman Casting

Yesterday morning one of the biggest pieces of casting news for the year was made official by Warner Bros. They, along with director Zack Snyder, had finally come to a decision on the man who would down the iconic blue tights and red cape as the next Superman.

While you may not have come across the name of Henry Cavill amongst the commonly rumored names for the part of Clark Kent in Superman: Man of Steel, there’s good reason. The casting process was so secret that not even Cavill or his reps knew he was going to be picked until yesterday morning as well.

Apparently, Cavill was one of the top Superman choices by the studio for the role since day one, although they didn’t want to let him know that in an attempt to avoid any leaks and keep their intentions secret. One executive describes the type of Clark Kent Cavill can play in comparison to Brandon Routh and Christopher Reeve before him:

“He’s got an amazing quality. He doesn’t look too much like Reeve and Routh but he’s big and strong and he has a very modern feel to him. We’re really going to try and make Superman as contemporary as possible.”

What’s interesting about the selection of Henry Cavill as Superman, is that despite his young age of 27 years, he had previously tried out for the title role of Batman against Christian Bale for Christopher Nolan’s take on the franchise and against Daniel Craig for the part of  James Bond, but he was too young then for both parts. Not only did he test for those major Hollywood roles, but before Bryan Singer took the helm of Superman Returns, Cavill was a top contender for the role of a much younger Clark Kent for previous directors Brett Ratner and McG.

henry cavill superman the tudors The Story Behind Henry Cavills Superman Casting

Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon in The Tudors

Cavill beat out other contenders including the widely rumored Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Arnie Hammer (The Social Network) and Ian Somerhalder (The Vampire Diaries), but the actual other top choice was reportedly Matthew Goode who previously worked with Snyder as the villainous lead Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias in Watchmen.

Of UK descent, Cavill joins a potential Justice League roster that includes three non-Americans – a curious issue for some fans. Christian Bale also hailsl from the UK and Ryan Reynolds is Canadian. For us, it matters not where the lead actor is born, especially for roles like Superman, where the character is not even from our planet.

I’m all for the choice of Cavill and look forward to his “modern” take on the character.

What do you think of Henry Cavill as Superman?

View Results

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Superman: Man of Steel is tentatively set for a December 2012 release date.

Follow us on Twitter @rob_keyes and @screenrant.

Sources: Deadline, THR

Tags: superman, superman man of steel, superman returns

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  1. wenoh    2 years ago

    After seeing Henry Cavill in the Tudors, all I can say is I am thrilled with his new role as Superman. Actually he is so gorgeous I could watch him play a rock. He is amazing.

    Reply
    • Robot Shlomo    1 year ago

      Really? So somebody DID actually watch The Tudors? INCONCEIVABLE!!

      Reply
      • Archaeon    1 year ago

        Yes, and it was quite good. Your point?

        Reply
      • Kevin    1 month ago

        Yes the tutors is an amazing show I think I have watched all the seasons at least 6 times

        Reply
  2. john    2 years ago

    Welling hopefully will play Superman in the 2 hr Smallville finale and will see then if he would have been a great Superman in Reboot. I think he should have played he part ,but now that is water under the bridge. The new British invasion.

    Reply
  3. Bobbay    2 years ago

    If they make this Superman movie. They better not screw it up. “Superman Returns” was a failure. They only made superman look bad. But, what can they show in the next superman film that we havent seen already? There really isnt much

    Reply
  4. n88car    2 years ago

    always thought the dude who played cyclops(james marzden)would make a good supes…..he’d have to bulk up a little.

    Reply
  5. LaurenGrace    1 year ago

    Looking forward to seeing him in Immortals with less clothes first, then maybe I can work my way up to the cape.

    Reply
  6. Sávio.    1 year ago

    My opinion?

    First we have to watch Henry Cavill to better analyze the role, Routh as he needed at least one more film to be good enough, but it has been put out to dry in final …

    Routh, in fact, he was ready to reprise the role, before it was announced that he was fired, I do not think they needed to change the actor and rewrite the franchise had only one more original script and more action scenes than that of Superman – The return …

    And well, Routh had to have dyed his hair black, used contact lenses best to not be so obvious that his eyes are not blue, spotted more and used a uniform that was not so different from the original …

    Until liked Superman – Returns, even if the script was not very original, nor had a lot of action, Bryan Singer had the best of intentions, but could have done a little better, although now, even more good question about it …

    We’ll see how Henry Cavill will do now as the Super, just wait to see!

    Reply
  7. steve jacobson    12 months ago

    Terrible casting. Won’t even see it, neither will any of my friends. You guys blew the whole franchise.

    Reply
    • Archaeon    12 months ago

      I’m curious…WHY do you think this is so terrible?

      Reply
    • rebecca    9 months ago

      neither will I. They should have picked an American

      Reply
      • Archaeon    9 months ago

        Seriously??? THAT’s your reason?

        You know Kal-el is actually Kryptonian, right? Maybe, they should cast someone from Krypton…sheesh.

        Reply
  8. Mark Johnson    9 months ago

    This film,sounds like it’s gonna be an hot-Super movie ! I don’t hope that,Henry Carvil booms as Superman. But,I hope that it shows that Brandon Routh was an beeter choice,and should be used again to play the caped one. MJ

    Reply
    • Mark Johnson    9 months ago

      I now know folks,I mispelled some words on my comments ! I meant to say,Brandon Routh would’ve been an better choice . But,I hope you all get what I was trying to say,LOL !!!

      Reply
      • Kevin    1 month ago

        Brandon Routh is a bad choice because he has such a wimpy look to him that Superman doesn’t need. Henry Cavill has a very noble look to him Routh looks just too wimpy

        Reply
    • Archaeon    9 months ago

      Choice is made / role is cast. Move on.

      Reply
  9. john    6 months ago

    BAD, BAD, JUST BAD!!!!

    JAMES WOLK, BRANDON ROUTH COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER CHOICES!!!!

    ONE LESS MOVIEGOER, I WON”T PAY FOR THIS, JUST WAIT TIL THEY SHOW IT FOR FREE!

    Reply
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