When hearing the name Henry Cavill, some might immediately think of his personal image, likable and laid-back. Others perhaps think of the gym or working out due to Cavill's famously muscular physique. Some folks could even relate him with his equally famous dog, Kal. However, chances are most people will think of Superman.
The role that shot Cavill to international stardom, the English actor played the Last Son on Krypton on three films set within the DCEU. Cavill's last appearance as the Man of Steel was in 2017's Justice League and since then, he's starred in several high-profile roles. With the upcoming release of Zack Snyder's Justice League, it's time to look into Cavill's career and decide if Superman is indeed his most iconic role, or if there's another, better choice (and there might be.)
10 Superman Is Best: The Ultimate Superhero
Superman is, in a lot of ways, the prototype of what a superhero should be. Debuting during the Golden Age of Comic Books, and actually credited with launching the entire era, Superman is the ultimate inspiration and role model. Tall, muscular, imposing, and nearly invincible, he's what everyone else strives to be, inspiring devotion in the citizens of Metropolis.
Unlike some other characters who have slowly grown more popular over the years, thanks in large part to cinema, Superman was, is, and will continue to thrive, no matter what. He's a character that now exists on the very strength of his name, a true and proper cultural icon.
9 Theseus Is Better: From Zero To Hero
Playing a Greek hero is no easy task. The actor must embody not only the physicality of the role but the inspirational and aspirational aspects too. There's a reason why classic heroes like Aquiles, Perseus, Odysseus, and Theseus have stayed relevant through the years, after all.
Although Immortals wasn't a big box-office or critical success at the time of its release, it has gone on to become a cult classic. A large part of why it's so appealing is Cavill's performance in the lead role. He's the right amount of heroic, while still seeming average enough to convincingly portray a mortal fighting in a war of Gods. Immortals proved Cavill could be an action star and carry a big-budget movie on his broad shoulders.
8 Superman Is The Best: A Gritty Take On A Classic Hero
Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy launched a frenzy for updated, realistic, gritty takes on classic superheroes. Zack Snyder tried this same approach with Man of Steel, and while the film got a decidedly more mixed reception than Nolan's Batman films, it also earned some fiercely impassionate fans.
With the years, and much like Immortals, Man of Steel's reception has become more positive. It's true that the Superman in the film isn't like the one memorably played by Christopher Reeve in the late seventies and early eighties. However, it's an iteration that perfectly fit the decade in which it premiered, a time when the shameless idealism and naivete of Superman II would've felt absurdly out of place.
7 Napoleon Solo Is Better: Comedic Henry Is The Best Henry
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is a hugely underappreciated movie. Stylish, fast-paced, and imbued with Guy Ritchie's trademark panache, it's a spy thriller that vivid and vibrantly captures the swinging essence of the sixties, while still providing enough thrills to entertain.
Cavill plays Napoleon Solo, an American thief-turned-spy who must work alongside a Russian KGB agent to stop a shady organization from proliferating nuclear weapons. Demonstrating a surprisingly deft touch for comedy, Cavill's Solo is suave, alluring, charismatic, and completely hypnotic. The English actor, alongside Elizabeth Debicki, elevates the material and turns the film into a truly absorbing experience.
6 Superman Is The Best: He Launched The DCEU
When Man of Steel premiered in 2013, the MCU was entering its Phase 2 after the massive success of The Avengers. Not wanting to be left behind, Warner Bros. was desperate to launch its own cinematic universe based on its extremely popular DC properties. Simply put, a lot was riding in Man of Steel's success.
Even if it didn't reach the rights of Marvel or Nolan's Batman trilogy, the film was still a big enough hit to guarantee the continuation of Snyder's plans. The entire DC universe, chaotic as it may be, began with and was defined by Cavill's take on Superman, a feat that may sound simple enough, but is actually quite impressive.
5 Sherlock Holmes Is Better: A New Take On An Old Character
Taking on a character that has already been successfully played numerous times is a huge challenge. So when Cavill agreed to play Sherlock Holmes in the adaptation of the popular Enola Holmes novels, all eyes were on him. Alas, he once again surprised audiences, delivering a brand new take on the already familiar character.
Cavill's Holmes is the right mix of cynical and caring. Substantially less cold and detached than other incarnations, his Holmes pays less attention to the inhuman and machine-like characteristics of the role, and instead focuses on his existent, albeit feeble bonds towards those around him. It was a bold choice, one that ultimately paid off and left fans wanting to see more.
4 Superman Is The Best: Introduced Superman To New Generations
Although Superman is indeed a hugely popular and well-known superhero, not everyone was deeply familiar with him. Almost everyone knows his name and the extent of his powers, but his backstory and the intricacies of the character are only known to those who read the comic books.
Cavill re-introduced the hero to mainstream audiences, making it accessible for new fans, while still keeping the essence of the character intact. Children in particular, who are part of the core audience of superhero films, now immediately relate Cavill with Superman, having grown up with him in the role.
3 August Walker Is Better: Range, Range, Range
Cavill's talent as an actor, and action star, was truly demonstrated in his performance as August Walker in Mission: Impossible - Fallout. The sixth entry in a franchise that's become known for its ambitious, daring, and massive setpieces, Fallout deals with Ethan Hunt's attempts to recover a case with three plutonium cores before it falls in the hands of dangerous extremist John Lark.
Cavill thrived in the villainous role, demonstrating a brutality and iciness that none of his previous roles allowed him to. Excelling in the physicality of the role, Cavill not only convincingly went toe-to-toe with Tom Cruise but also confirmed his status as a bonafide action star who's willing to get down and dirty.
2 Superman Is The Best: It's The Role That Launched His Career
Cavill had been working in movies since the beginning of the millennium and even got a steady gig in the Showtime series The Tudors, playing historical figure Charles Brandon. However and without a doubt, Man of Steel raised his profile and turned him into a superstar.
The role of Superman also led to him being cast in a lot of the projects that would define his career in later years. Who knows how his path would look like had he not been chosen to play the Man of Steel? Perhaps he would've gone on to play some other high profile role, like James Bond. The truth is, Superman is the role that ignited his career and will forever be a huge part of his acting persona.
1 Geralt Of Rivia Is Better: Hmm
Some actors have the fortune to find multiple characters they can truly shine in and Cavill is one of them. Since 2019, he's starred in Netflix's The Witcher, playing the fan-favorite part of Geralt of Rivia, a role he was literally born to play. Stoic, taciturn, thoughtful, and cunning, Cavill's Geralt has quickly become one of the most popular characters on streaming, appreciated by both fans of the Witcher games and books, and casual viewers.
It's hard to say if Geralt is the role for which Cavill will be most remembered. After all, only one season of the show has aired. However, the impact of his performance cannot be understated. The Witcher is one of Netflix's biggest hits and a promise that even if Cavill doesn't return to the role of Superman, he'll continue to entertain audiences with another excellent character.
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