In a new interview with the LA Times, Henry Cavill has spoken about the return of Superman in “Justice League”, the tone of the character, and plans for a future Superman movie.
WARNING: There are spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen the film yet…
“He’s definitely different from previous incarnations,” Cavill says, speaking a few weeks ago during the “Justice League” press junket here. “I feel like this is the natural progression from the end of ‘Man of Steel’ into what he is now. This is a rebirth of the character, to coin the DC Comics franchise right now: It’s a refresh.” He adds, “This movie highlights the qualities of Superman that exist in the comic books. That’s something I’ve always been very keen to highlight in the character. This rebirth provided the opportunity for me to play those characteristics.”
As for the sequence in which Superman first awakens, Cavill speaks to Superman’s mental state…
“I think it’s very confusing for him in that scenario, as it would be for any of us,” Cavill says. “He’s trying to work out what the hell happened. I’m sure there’s a sense of failure there, akin to that sense of ‘I wish I hadn’t died so I could still be here and the world wouldn’t be in the state it’s in now and I could have protected my mother and Lois from the pain they’ve been experiencing.’ There’s that sense of guilt, but it comes with unconditional love. It’s not rational. One of the great things about us is that we still care even though we may not have a reason to feel guilty.”
There’s no doubt that “Justice League” is lighter and less serious than either “Man of Steel” or “Batman v Superman”, and Cavill thinks this is a good thing.
“I think there’s an opportunity for these heroes to be represented in a way in which everyone can access. It should be funny. You should be able to take your kids to it,” Cavill says.
Whedon, who worked on the script and took over as director on the re-shoots, connected with the actor on that tone.
“I’ve always enjoyed the traditional, very classic view on Superman in the comic books,” Cavill says. “I think there’s an enormous complexity to that character. I know when I was working with Joss he and I saw eye-to-eye on some of the aspects of Superman. That paragon of hope. That ideal. That wonderful feeling of, ‘Oh, good, Superman’s here!’ I have also developed a very personal and protective relationship over this character, and it was just lovely to have the opportunity to smile and feel good.”
“I have also developed a very personal and protective relationship over this character, and it was just lovely to have the opportunity to smile and feel good.”
While Superman is back from the dead, his own future film franchise is still in limbo, however Henry Cavill is hopeful…
“There’s a wonderful opportunity to tell the Superman story,” he says. “Now there is a fantastic chance to show Superman in his full colors and tell a very complex, character-driven movie that is based on story and have that wonderful sensation of hope and happiness. A feel-good movie with lessons laced in there as well.”
Source: LA Times
Unless fortunes turn around for Justice League, his tenure is likely coming to an end. No doubt he put in a lot of effort, but for reasons far beyond him, they just kept missing the mark.
I don’t think it’s over for them. I think they’ll just retool everything a bit to do standalone movies ala Wonder Woman where it’s still a part of the DCEU but it can stand on it’s own two feet. The meta-story vision that Snyder had which was one long story from movie to movie that’s gone I think.
This might be the opportunity to start production on Man of Steel 2.
As a Superman fan I was extremely pleased with Justice League. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Superman and friends.
Before I saw this movie I thought that this one might be the last time we would see this version of Superman. Now after I have seen this film, I’m starting to think that there might be a chance that we see this version again provided that Whedon stays on board and that they work on a decent script. The action in a movie should be as good as the plot for a decent film. If it’s all action and not enough plot the audience will get board with the fight scenes. If it’s all plot, they will get board… Read more »
Well if anything the fact that Wonder Woman was a hit, Aquaman is already wrapped and Shazam is about to start, means the current DC Films universe is somewhat proceeding. I feel that even though WB brass are tossing and turning in their beds Sunday night dreading the meeting for Monday morning, WW 2 is still going to happen. It’s the biggest hit so far, they are not going to abandon that sequel with Patty and Gal pinned already. I believe there is enough for WB to keep from doing a total reboot. Cavill is well received with the WB… Read more »
WB – Let Henry shine! He’s obviously well read and passionate about Superman – but isn’t it time to allow him to become so much more – allow the character to develop? The world needs a Superman right now – someone that connects with everyone not just a few on one side of the spectrum. The world is too angry depressed and frustrated at the moment. It needs hope again. For me – Matthew Vaughan to direct and writers like Miles Millar or get Geoff Johns to do some proper film writing instead of sitting behind the scenes. Make the… Read more »
I’ll say this – Henry knows “how to say” the RIGHT things when giving an interview – I dare say “mild mannered” and re-assuring in tone and his use of words!
Good for him.
He nailed it in Justice League….it would be shame to sideline him now. Best interpretation since Reeve
I have to agree with you there. I just got back from watching it and I am so happy with his performance, FINALLY they got it right. I always knew Henry had it in him, every thing he has done outside these movies has been in line with how he should have been doing this character. He has charisma to spare in real life and he was just never given the chance to bring it to Superman. This time he finally got a chance to play this role right.
Immediately greenlight Man of Steel 2. Introduce SuperGirl and finally have Brainiac as the villain. Make the opening as epic as the opening cinematic to the Injustice 2 video game. Incorporate the best ideas from All Star Superman, Superman for All Seasons, and Superman Brainiac. Get Henry Jackman or Michael Giacchino to score the movie. Get a director who is truly passionate about Superman. Boom, with all these pieces in place, I guarantee a $1B at the box office. Are you listening WB?
If we were going to get another MoS/BvS Superman for MOS2… I would’ve said “leave it on the shelf.” BUT… with Justice League actually bringing a Superman you can actually cheer for back to the screen, I am more excited than ever to see a MOS2. While I agree with everything you said, I will say I don’t *need* a director truly passionate about Superman, rather just a screenwriter who understands the character and a director who both know how to tell a *good* story. I say that because passion can create a bit of tunnel vision and then you… Read more »
I really want Cavill to have a solo Superman film again, particularly with Lois and Clark getting hitched. Cavill has been a magnificent Superman in all three films and deserves at least one more chance at bat.
Please WB, give Superman to WHEDON! He did more for Superman with the miniscule screentime and hasty reshoots than anyone has in ages (regardless of Mustachegate and the CGI woes). And Cavill helped solidify what I feel to be the best performance since Reeve, hands down. I couldn’t stop smiling during Justice League. It was the feeling I’ve been hunting for in a theater since I was a little kid.
Cavill is an amazing Superman. He needs another solo film.
I don’t trust Superman to Whedon, I’ve seen him write Cap and my heart bled. But the Justice League reshoots are interesting, particularly because there had been minimal rewriting (and some of it really sloppy, like the “Do you bleed” scene) and a lot of what we saw of Superman in the third act was pure Henry. Sure, he was following a script, but it wasn’t the jokes that worked, it was the actor and the energy he exuded. I know WB and/or DC checks this place once in a while and I’m also pretty sure they care little for… Read more »
^Word. Henry should be kept on. He’s a fantastic ambassador for the role and can play it for a long time. My one complaint with regards to Affleck was that ten years ago he could have been Batman. But the shelf life of his age is a detriment to the whole franchise. Especially if they’re already mentioning his age by this point in his second film. I mainly championed Whedon because I doubt Zack would have made Superman that…sunny. There’s a bevvy of other directors/writers I’d see approach Superman before I’d ever have chosen Snyder. Henry was and is really… Read more »
I think it’s pretty clear a big course correction is going to be the result of what looks to be major losses for WB with Justice League. Here are the steps I think WB should take to fix things moving forward: 1. Give Geoff Johns complete creative control over all DC related films ala Feige at Marvel. No more WB suits interfering and making demands during the production of these films. Johns has all say over the stories being told, whether he wants these movies to stand alone or be connected to a larger story arc, and makes the decisions… Read more »
#5 is right on the money. When I think of franchise rescues (at least fiscally) I look at the Fast and Furious movies. They were DOA until the midpoint and now they’re healthy as can be in terms of franchise strength.
Also, you’re SO right about Johns. His involvement with Wonder Woman and it’s underdog success shows exactly why he should have been given the go-ahead from day one to steer the ship. None of the others involved in these movies has 1/100th his understanding of the source material, top to bottom.
Well, to your #2 and #3 I think Superman is the only Leaguer not getting a solo in the near future. I know for a fact that Flash and Batman are slated for solo movies in there current line up and I’m pretty sure that Cyborg is too. I agree that all the Gotham centric movies need to be put on the back burner and Supes DEFINITELY needs a proper sequel, if only to get the fall out of Clark coming back from the dead the same time as Superman. I like Shazam though and I’m not against them branching… Read more »
I really, really hope we get a ‘Man of Steel 2’ now. Unfortunately, I don’t think ‘Justice League’ is the movie that’s going to get us there. Pity.
I liked JL and LOVED Superman (Cavill is great!), specially how powerful he was displayed, as he should be: a titan among gods! The way he owned Steppenwolf was epic. Also, finally we’ve seen some classic Superman.
I (and the world) need another Superman movie.
There’s going to be the problem of the Snyder baggage attached to Henry’s Superman. But they might be able to overcome this since getting to see him finally BE Superman is one of the more well received aspects of Justice League.
Could you make a film with Cavill that is not only good but would make people forget or just move past things like Zod’s neck break or “You don’t owe this world a thing?”
Since superman was resurrected in jl with part of the technology that was used to create doomsday , would doomsday technically be Zod since they had used part of that same technology that was in
b v s to create doomsday from zod’s body? I’m still trying to figure that out.
Well Henry is contracted to do another movie. If they do it right they could put it off. Plus with the Flash movie stated to be Flashpoint they can always change things up. But now that they got Superman right in the movie universe, it would be a shame to not have the current movie version for at least one more film.