Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill | |
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![]() Cavill at the Sydney premiere of Man of Steel, June 2013 | |
Born | Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill 5 May 1983 |
Nationality | British |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2001–present |
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill (born 5 May 1983) is a British actor. He has appeared in the films Stardust and Immortals, and played the role of Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, on the Showtime series The Tudors, from 2007 until 2010. He played the role of Superman/Clark Kent in the 2013 film Man of Steel.
Early life
Cavill was born on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands, the fourth of five boys. His mother, Marianne, works as a secretary in a bank, and his father, Colin, is a stockbroker.[1] He was educated at St. Michael's Preparatory School in Saint Saviour, Jersey, before attending Stowe School,[2] a boarding school, in Stowe, England. He began acting in school plays during prep school[3] and has said that if he had not become an actor, he would have joined the army[2] or studied ancient history, Egyptology, at a university.[3][4]
During his time at Stowe, Cavill met actor Russell Crowe, who was at the school filming scenes for Proof of Life. Cavill was an extra, and used the opportunity to ask Crowe for advice on an acting career. Later, Cavill and Crowe played son and father in the Superman film Man of Steel.[5]
Career
Cavill had his first film role in Kevin Reynolds' 2002 adaptation, The Count of Monte Cristo. He went on to star in Laguna (2001), and afterwards appeared in BBC’s The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2002), the television film Goodbye Mr. Chips (2002), and the television series Midsomer Murders (2003). In 2003, he had a supporting role in I Capture the Castle, followed by Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005), Red Riding Hood (2006) and Tristan & Isolde (2006). He had a minor role in Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of Stardust (2007).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Henry_Cavill_Shankbone_2009_Vanity_Fair.jpg/170px-Henry_Cavill_Shankbone_2009_Vanity_Fair.jpg)
From 2007 to 2010, Cavill had a leading role in Showtime's television series, The Tudors, as Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. The series was well-received: it was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2007 and won an Emmy in 2008. Cavill credits the show with bolstering his career: "It’s done the most for me to date. [...] Now that there's an audience somewhere in America that’s aware of who I am, I have more sell-ability, because of The Tudors."[6] Entertainment Weekly named him the "Most Dashing Duke" and praised his work on The Tudors for displaying "charm, depth and a killer bod".[7]
Cavill had been set to play Superman in McG's 2004 film, Superman: Flyby. However, McG pulled out of the project and direction was taken over by director Bryan Singer, who recast Brandon Routh as the lead in Superman Returns.[8][9] Cavill was also the cause of a write-in effort from fans to see him cast as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).[10] The role eventually went to Robert Pattinson. Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series, was outspokenly in favour of Cavill playing the character of Edward Cullen in the Twilight film,[11] calling him her "perfect Edward".[12] However, by the time production of the film began, Cavill was too old to play the character,[12][13] and again the role went to Robert Pattinson.
In 2005, Cavill was a final contender for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale.[14] The producers and director Martin Campbell were torn between him and Daniel Craig; reportedly Campbell supported Cavill but the producers preferred an older Bond.[8][15] Craig ultimately landed the role. In their December 2005 issue, Empire magazine dubbed Cavill the "Unluckiest Man in Hollywood" for this series of near-misses.[2] Despite reports that he was a contender for Batman in Batman Begins, Cavill confirmed that he never auditioned for nor was offered the role.[8][14]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Henry_Cavill_Wondercon_2011.jpg/170px-Henry_Cavill_Wondercon_2011.jpg)
In early 2008, Cavill became a model/spokesman for Dunhill fragrances.[16] The television ad featured a suited-up Cavill walking through the Union Jack, before mounting a helicopter.[17] A second television ad featured Cavill driving a car through a deserted London at night, and meeting with a young woman.[18] He starred in director Joel Schumacher's horror film, Blood Creek (2008), and in 2009, he had a minor role in Woody Allen’s comedy film, Whatever Works.
Cavill played the lead role of Theseus in Tarsem Singh's mythological, big-budget special effects film, Immortals, released 11 November 2011.[19] In 2012, Cavill starred, alongside Bruce Willis, in The Cold Light of Day. On 30 January 2011, it was announced that Cavill had been cast in the role of Clark Kent/Superman in director Zack Snyder's Man of Steel.[20] Snyder called Cavill "the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield."[21][22] Entertainment media applauded Henry Cavill on his road to success.[23][24] Cavill is one of three British actors to concurrently portray a major American comic book superhero, with Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man) and Christian Bale (Batman).[citation needed] On being chosen for the role, Cavill commented, "In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honoured to be a part of his return to the big screen."[citation needed] Cavill has been cast in a film version of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. after Tom Cruise had to drop out to work on the next Mission: Impossible film.[25][26][27]
Cavill has expressed interest in taking over the role of James Bond when Daniel Craig gives it up.[28]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Laguna | Thomas Aprea | |
2002 | The Count of Monte Cristo | Albert Mondego | |
2002 | Goodbye, Mr. Chips | Soldier Colley | Television film |
2003 | I Capture the Castle | Stephen Colley | |
2005 | Hellraiser: Hellworld | Mike | Direct-to-DVD |
2006 | Tristan & Isolde | Melot | |
2006 | Red Riding Hood | The Hunter | |
2007 | Stardust | Humphrey | |
2009 | Whatever Works | Randy Lee James | |
2009 | Blood Creek | Evan Marshall | |
2011 | Immortals | Theseus | |
2012 | The Cold Light of Day | Will Shaw | |
2013 | Man of Steel | Clark Kent / Kal-El | Nominated—NewNowNext Award for Cause You're Hot[29] |
2014 | The Great Wall[30] | In production |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | The Inspector Lynley Mysteries | Chas Quilter | Episode: "Well-Schooled in Murder" |
2003 | Midsomer Murders | Simon Mayfield | Episode: "The Green Man" |
2007–2010 | The Tudors | Charles Brandon | Main cast Nominated—NewNowNext Award for Cause You're Hot[31] |
References
- ^ Barker, Andy. "Regarding Henry." . Evening Standard 24 Oct. 2008: 49–53. Print. Retrieved 27 Nov. 2010
- ^ a b c Cook, Xerxes. "Henry le Magnifique." Upstreet 10 Jun. 2009: 36–41. Print. Retrieved 27 Nov. 2010
- ^ a b “The Tudors: A Sit-down with Henry Cavill.” Filmed interview. Retrieved 27 Nov. 2010
- ^ Paul, Chi. "The Tudor's Henry Cavill: Sexiest Courtier Alive!" . People. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ "Henry's Acting Career". Henrycavill.org. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
- ^ "The Tudors Interview." Filmed interview. Retrieved 18 Feb. 2011
- ^ Svetkey, Benjamin, "Must List 2009: TV." Entertainment Weekly 26 Jun. 2009. Print. Retrieved 18 Feb. 2011 from Entertainment Weekly online,
- ^ a b c Jensen, Jeff "Doc". "Superman Soars Again." Entertainment Weekly 25 Feb. 2011: 54–57. Print. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ Wigler, Josh. "'Tudors' Star Henry Cavill Was So Close To Playing Superman, He Even Wore The Cape!" . MTV, 6 May 2009. Web. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ "Henry Cavill for Cedric Diggory." Henry Cavill at IntenseVibe.org. IntenseVibe, 22 Feb. 2008. Web. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ Morris, W. M. "Interview: Twilight author Stephenie Meyer." A Motley Vision. . A Motley Vision, 26 Oct. 2005. Web. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ a b Meyer, Stephenie. "Twilight the Movie (archives)." . stepheniemeyer.com. The Official Website of Stephenie Meyer, 7 Jul. 2007. Web. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ ""Henry Cavill Talks Twilight." By Josh Horowitz. MTV Movies. Filmed interview. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ a b "Henry Cavill Interview." Filmed interview. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ "David Arnold discusses screentesting the new James Bond, and Daniel Craig's competition." MI6. MI6, 22 Mar. 2007. Web. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ "Dunhill London. '. Dunhill. Web. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ "Dunhill London Fragrance with Henry Cavill." . Television ad. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ "Henry Cavill – Dunhill Black.". Television ad. Retrieved 19 Feb. 2011
- ^ Billington, Alex. ""First Look: Tarsem Singh's 'Immortals' Epic with Henry Cavill." firstshowing.net. First Showing, 17 May 2010.
- ^ ""Henry Cavill to Play Superman." superherohype.com. SuperHeroHype, 30 Jan 2011
- ^ Venutolo, Anthony. ""Henry Cavill cast as Superman in Zack Snyder's reboot." NJ 30 Jan. 2011.l
- ^ Ditzian, Eric. "'"Superman' Star Henry Cavill Will Be 'Amazing', Christopher Nolan Says." mtv.com. MTV, 1 Feb. 2011.
- ^ Ditzian, Eric. "'"Superman' Star Henry Cavill Had Long Road To Landing The Role." . MTV.com 31 Jan. 2011.
- ^ CBSNews.com / CelebrityCircuit. "'"Henry Cavill: The Next Superman" 'CBSNews.com / CelebrityCircuit. Retrieved 31 Jan 2011
- ^ 'Man of Steel' star Henry Cavill needs nerves of steel
- ^ Patricia Didelot (5 June 2013). "Henry Cavill Confirms His Role In 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' And Shares More About 'Man Of Steel'". Inquisitr.com. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "From 'Man of Steel' to 'Man From U.N.C.L.E.' | Inquirer Entertainment". Entertainment.inquirer.net. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "Superman star keen to try Bond". 3 News NZ. 23 April 2013.
- ^ "2013 Nominees – Cause You're Hot". NewNowNext Awards. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "'The Great Wall' Lands New Start Date; Zhang Ziyi Being Courted to Star". Screenrant.com. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "2012 NewNowNext Awards Nominees – Cause You're Hot". NewNowNext Awards. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Henry Cavill at IMDb