Henry Cavill Based Superman Performance On Comic Books Not Past Films

Henry Cavill Based Superman Performance On Comic Books Not Past Films

"I chose not to act as Superman," says Man of Steel's Henry Cavill. The actor talks about using Superman comic books to prepare for his role rather than watch past Superman actors.

News
By MarkJulian - Jun 13, 2013 08:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman
Source: Reuters


Some of you lucky few have already seen 'Man of Steel' while some are seeing the Superman reboot at midnight and I trust that the rest of you are watching tomorrow. For those that have already seen the film what did you think of Cavill's performance? And to those soon to be watching for the first time, keep this tidbit of information in mind while witnessing Cavill's take on the 'Last Son of Krypton'. "I chose not to act as Superman," says Man of Steel's Henry Cavill. It's not what you're thinking at first blush. What Cavill means is that to be conscious of the fact that he's portraying Superman, "withdraws from the whole reality of the story. You take the experiences of the guy, his fears of the future, his dreams of the future and you just apply that to everything you do."

Continuing on with his description of his interpretation of the iconic superhero, Cavill stated that he didn't watch footage of Christopher Reeve, Tom Welling or Brandon Routh to prepare. In a "radical" Hollywood notion, Cavill says that he based his performance on what he read in various Superman comic books and jotted down notes between panels. "(The notes) just kind of became a secondary character lurking there and I just drew from that," Cavill said. He continued, "There's not really a word for it or any way to describe playing Superman. But it's just a feeling and you've got to just channel that into the character in just minute details unconsciously and instinctively."

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Running Time: 2 hrs 23 min
Release Date: 14 June 2013 (USA)
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Starring: Henry Cavill, Michael Shannon, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner,Russell Crowe, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Meloni, Richard Schiff, Harry Lennix
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Written by: Christopher Nolan (story), David S. Goyer (screenplay)

"Man of Steel follows the Last Son of Krypton on his epic journey to become mankind's shinning beacon of hope for a brighter future. With the beliefs and values instilled by his adoptive parents Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and Martha (Diane Lane) Kent, a young Clark (Henry Cavill) sets out to find his place in the world. But when the nefarious General Zodd (Michael Shannon) arrives on Earth, Clark will have to choose between being a normal human or Kal-el,son of Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and humanity's greatest protector and champion. Filmed in IMAX and shot in Vancouver, Chicago and Plano, Illinois, Man of Steel will be released on June 14, 2013 by Warner Bros. Directed by Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) with a screenplay by David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight) the Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Rises, Inception) produced feature film will surely be the summer blockbuster of 2013."
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LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/13/2013, 8:22 AM
I think its for the best. Routh's performance was basically Reeve inspired. I think we need to move past Reeve a bit. No disrespect but how people cheer and love and compare every actor to Reeve is like how people compare Batman voice actors to Conroy. In a way.
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/13/2013, 8:28 AM
Thank God he has the smarts not to follow the ass sniffing troglodytes that infest the movie world! Good for him!
TheAmazingSpiderFan
TheAmazingSpiderFan - 6/13/2013, 8:29 AM
seein it tomorrow at 7:30, and my word will be the authority on the topic :P
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/13/2013, 8:30 AM
NO REEVE! That was 1978! Please let the man rest in peace! They were fantastic movies, but this is a whole new generation. DC already made that mistake with Routh! To avoid the "Superman Curse"!
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/13/2013, 8:31 AM
I don't mind a bit Reeve but just don't completely copy him.
PapaEmeritus
PapaEmeritus - 6/13/2013, 8:31 AM
Yeah!
Indestruktible
Indestruktible - 6/13/2013, 8:36 AM
People need to let the Reeve and Routh superman go. Reeve was so 70s and many of us did not like Singer's superman. Reeve was great for that era, and Singer's just was wrong in many respects all around, so we need this change. To those who want a return back to those two eras, I"m sorry, but nothing will ever satisfy these people (short of singer and routh coming back, but unlikely)
kalelhawj
kalelhawj - 6/13/2013, 8:37 AM
@Randell222... I can tell you are a troll... you have been posting RT number and saying you seen it in the Philippines on all MOS news. I've trace your computer IP and you are right here in the states... lol... BTW... I've seen the movie already and it's the best Superman movie ever. The action is beyond Epic. One of the best action CMB movie all-time on my list. It may not be TDK story level but it's more like Batman Begin with way better actions.
Therealclarkkent
Therealclarkkent - 6/13/2013, 8:37 AM
@randell222 are u constantly keeping tabs on rotten tomatoes?? Rotten tomatoes doesn't mean anything nor should it. If you didn't like the movie then state your opinion and shut up. If you don't like a lot of action and eyegasms then good for u. If you can honestly say the movie had no story then give an insight as to why u think that instead of just saying it was 50 mins of straight action which I don't see anything wrong with.

Also, i would love to hear your take on superman returns.
Forthas
Forthas - 6/13/2013, 8:37 AM
That makes sense because EVERY other iteration of Superman was played with camp. If the goal rightly is to get away from that then that is exactly the way Cavill should go.

When I think about it the charm and humor of other Nolan like movies did not really come from Batman (maybe sparingly) ... it came from Heath Ledger's Joker (disappearing pencil trick) and Catwoman (who didn't know the safe was uncrackable). I have not seen the Man of Steel but the criticism of it being too serious should not fall on Cavill to deliver lighter moments if that is the way he wants to introduce the character. Supporting characters can also serve that role. Maybe a future Lex Luthor can be snarky and devilishly charming to supply the lighter tones of the film.
JoshBerger
JoshBerger - 6/13/2013, 8:38 AM
I saw the movie yesterday and [frick] RT, the movie is good, a little rushed but it kinda works. Purist fanboys are going to hate a lot of stuff...but the movie is great.
TheClemster
TheClemster - 6/13/2013, 8:38 AM
The man understood it all about being an actor in a cbm

Well done sir Cavill
MarkJulian
MarkJulian - 6/13/2013, 8:38 AM
@Nomis Missed out on a screening. Seeing White House Down tonight of all things. Probably checking out Man of Steel tmrw or Sat.
DeltaActual
DeltaActual - 6/13/2013, 8:38 AM
WOOT! I love The UNDERDOG! The Baltimore Ravens proved everyone wrong and hopefully MOS will as well!
Demonseed
Demonseed - 6/13/2013, 8:41 AM
Sigh....as a general CBM fan, I wish we as a community could be excited for all CBMs and hope they do well, not poorly. Unfortunately there will always be those few douches. Looking at you Randall.
marcel
marcel - 6/13/2013, 8:41 AM
Superman Returns was criticized for being boring, this has too much action blah blah. Everyone has a preformed idea of superman. Personally cavills performance a Superman was a highlight for the film. I get the criticism of him not being a bit more light or fun but the situation didn't call for it.
ParisSun
ParisSun - 6/13/2013, 8:41 AM
Wow, was just reminded that tomorrow will have been six months since Sandy Hook tragedy. Sheesh, just senseless.

Will need a little escapism this weekend. Got two tickets for me and wife for 8:10 showing tommorow.
AmazingFantasy
AmazingFantasy - 6/13/2013, 8:41 AM
^^^^^^
Fogs
Fogs - 6/13/2013, 8:43 AM
This is always nice to read. Folks who pay respect to the essence are always welcome.
Therealclarkkent
Therealclarkkent - 6/13/2013, 8:43 AM
Superman returns is at 75% on rotten tomatoes so please tell me how that movie did even though it was well reviewed by the all knowing critics.
Demonseed
Demonseed - 6/13/2013, 8:46 AM
@blackandyellow and @DCMultiverse, ugh....you guys are reminding me how much I miss football......*sniff.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/13/2013, 8:46 AM
blackandyellow

I'm a Browns fan. I would call us enemies but that would imply we've put up a fight against you.

;P

Still root for the Steelers come playoff time. While I'm a Browns fan most of my friends are Steeler fans and I need to feel like a winner.

;P
FlixMentallo21
FlixMentallo21 - 6/13/2013, 8:47 AM
I can tell that he's going to give us a very 'comical' performance....
gammaface248
gammaface248 - 6/13/2013, 8:47 AM
The more i hear from this gentleman, I know that juice was worth the squeeze. Even if this movie has some problems, We should be very confident that this could be the first great superman trilogy. hoping to see new additions such as Super Girl (Yes, She can be model hot, but has to have some hefty metaphorical balls), Brainiac. Of course we will see a modern re-envisioning of Lex Luthor.
FoxForce5
FoxForce5 - 6/13/2013, 8:47 AM
So glad to hear this!!!! I want ALL the previous incarnations of Superman to be a poor, distant memory. Like a bad dream. And yes, that includes the Donner/Reeves stuff. Sure I liked it as a kid but even then felt that, with the exception of the Times Square fight in Superman II, none of it was comic book like.

I can't wait to see this which will be on Sunday since my daughter wants she and I to go on Father's Day - and I can like with that.
DarthTesla
DarthTesla - 6/13/2013, 8:52 AM
Seeing as how this movie was basically the story line of Superman Earth One by JMS, I'd say Cavill pretty much nailed it.

Can't get over how awesome MOS was.
Supershadowbat
Supershadowbat - 6/13/2013, 8:59 AM
Nice going on Cavill's part. Not taking away from Chris Reeve or any of the other actors who have portrayed Superman, but I rather go to the material that is canon n the Superman mythology. Every actor is going to have a bit of a different take on a character, but I like that he went to the source.
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