Actor Henry Cavill is a hero in the making
When Henry Cavill walks into sight, you know about it. He may be unassuming in nature, with the level-headedness that one might expect from an English gent, but that perfect physique speaks for itself, even when he tries (and fails) to hide it under a navy blue jumper and black jeans as we meet in Claridges, London.
It’s one of the reasons that a few weeks previous, all eyes were on him at the Groove Festival in Wicklow.
That, and because it was the unlikeliest of outings for Hollywood’s fastest rising star, whose credits include The Tudors, his defining role as Superman, and his latest, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. in Guy Ritchie’s blockbuster-to-be.
“Why was I there? I was visiting a friend, and he loves festivals,” he says by way of explanation.
So he didn’t return to our fair shores for any Tudors-related reason, then?
“Sure — Tudors Revisited: Six Years Later,” he grins.
“Tudors: The After Years. No no, I just went to see a friend, that’s all.”
Judging by the amount of photos he was asked to pose for there, his level of fame has changed considerably since he was first filming the series on these shores in 2007.
Far from an oft-naked British historical figure, at 32 he’s now known as America’s favourite superhero, reportedly worth €10m thanks mostly to the success of Man of Steel.
Though 2006 reboot Superman Returns bombed (remember it? Anyone? Thought not), with Cavill donning the famous pants-on-trousers combo, the 2013 film raked in $668m at the box office.
“The Tudors got me recognised in America, and at least put my foot in the door for Warner Bros to go ‘yeah, we could bank on him’,” he reflects.
“And Superman changed everything. It even made indie scripts come through the door because they’re looking through financing.”
Though he has his own production company, believing he sees a future for himself as a producer rather than director (“I don’t have the eye for it”), Cavill is not given himself to the art of pioneering cinema just yet.
The only film between Man of Steel and next year’s hugely anticipated Batman vs Superman is The Man From U.N.C.L.E, a silver screen adaptation of the ’60s Cold War spy film.
Reinterpreting Napoleon Solo, originally played by Robert Vaughn, Cavill stars alongside Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger) as two opposing spies from the CIA and KGB who join forces, along with Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, Anna Karenina), to defeat the proliferation of weapons by Victoria Vinciguerra, played by a scene-stealing Elizabeth Debicki.
But with stylistic flair and a touch of the tongue-in-cheek about it, Brit director Guy Ritchie stamps the film as much as the actors.
“Guy was great to work with,” says Cavill.
“He creates this wonderful family atmosphere on set.
“It’s not lackadaisical, it’s professional, it’s time efficient.
“I was surprised at how engaged I was considering I spent four months doing it,” he adds, his Brit and American accent blurring.
“The way Guy puts a movie together keeps it interesting, he has a certain magic touch with no one else has.”
Arguably, the best part is Ritchie’s shameless vying for a sequel.
But, Cavill says, it will still depend on whether it’s a hit or a miss.
“We would love to do another sequel but we have to wait to see what the audience reaction is.
“If the movie makes money, then the studio will definitely make another sequel. If it doesn’t, it won’t,” he states.
Would he have time to continue this franchise while still being Clark Kent speedily changing in phone boxes?
“Yes, it won’t take up all my time,” he says confidently.
“There will be time to get other roles in, for sure.” We’d imagine he’s counting on it.
With brains as well as brawn — he’s the son of a navy man-turned-stockbroker after all — Cavill is no fool.
He recognises that Superman is such a behemoth that, for longevity, he’ll have to change personas outside the movie or get typecast.
Lucky for him, the rumour mill is on overdrive as much about the movies he’s been attached to — Hollywood’s wording, not mine — as Superman.
Top of the possibilities is a part in the upcoming 50 Shades of Grey sequel, alongside Jamie Doran (can you imagine the chiselled chin quotient).
But he flatly denies it.
“I haven’t heard these rumours,” Henry grins, teasing, before categorically adding, “I haven’t been asked to be in it.”
What does he think of the first movie?
“I haven’t seen it.”
He’s more open to discussing Bond, a role he’s been in the frame for since he was 21.
It’s a lofty ambition to play both the archetypal American male hero, and then the British one.
But this is a man who, as a teenage extra, broke away from the crowd on set to approach Russell Crowe for his acting advice.
Despite his determination, his first attempt at securing the role of James Bond, for Casino Royale, was unsuccessful.
“They had a list of guys who were traditional change, and a list of guys who were the wet behind the ears, a younger Bond.
“Daniel [Craig] was last on the traditional age list, and I was last on the younger list.
“They either decided that I didn’t have the chops, or they’d rather go traditional.
“I’m happy that Daniel got the role because he did an amazing job of reviving the franchise.
“I probably wouldn’t have done the role justice at that age. “
His philosophical outlook is impressive, though I can’t imagine it’s much fun to reminisce on a near-miss so long afterwards.
That said, he’s still in the running to take on the 007 role in the future, though the caveats are plentiful.
“It depends on the script,” he says. “It depends on the directors.
“James Bond is cool, but it’s not just James Bond you’d be doing.
“If it was with a director I’d worked with before and didn’t like, I wouldn’t want to spend 11 months with him. Life is too short.
“But if Barbara [Broccoli] and Mike [Wilson, producers] sat me down in a room, we’d have that conversation.”
There’s an exciting proposition.
But for now, he’s continuing his career trajectory in Hollywood — an ascent Superman would be proud of.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is out in cinemas from August 14
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