3 Major Franchises Henry Cavill Was Rejected From Before Landing the Role of Superman in Zack Snyder’s DCEU

Henry Cavill’s ascent to stardom through his portrayal of Superman in the past decade has been meteoric. His embodiment of the iconic hero in Snyder’s DCEU movies, despite their divisive reception, showcased a profound depth of powerful, heartfelt heroism. Despite a brief reprisal as Superman in the 2022 film Black Adam, Cavill’s journey with the character seems to have reached its terminus, with no involvement in James Gunn’s forthcoming DCU. Nevertheless, his imprint on the character has been etched for posterity, leaving an enduring impact for generations to come.

However, amidst his remarkable career, there were significant franchise opportunities that eluded Cavill. It’s intriguing to speculate about the what-ifs in the realm of cinema. For instance, Cavill’s association with the Twilight movies or envisaging him taking on the mantle of Batman sparks the imagination. In the cinematic landscape, there were pivotal roles that Henry Cavill either declined or failed to secure, beyond the realm of Superman.

1. Twilight

Twilight, the captivating saga, weaves the tale of Bella, a young teenager, navigating life in the town of Forks, Washington, where she encounters the enigmatic Edward Cullen, a vampire whose mysterious allure captivates her. However, the casting of the pivotal character Edward almost saw a different face in the form of Henry Cavill, the celebrated Superman star. Despite Cavill’s initial favoritism for the role, fate had other plans for him.

Stephanie Meyer, the Twilight series author, initially supported the idea of Henry Cavill portraying Edward Cullen, recognizing his potential to embody the enigmatic vampire. However, as pre-production progressed, it became clear that Cavill’s age no longer suited the youthful image required for the character.

This marked Cavill’s missed opportunity in the Twilight franchise, as Robert Pattinson secured the role. Despite Meyer’s strong attachment to Cavill’s involvement, she continued advocating for him. She even campaigned for him to play Carlisle Cullen after he was passed over for Edward, but the casting decision stood, and Peter Facinelli took on the role.

Also Read: Robert Downey Jr. Almost Became Superman’s Archnemesis in DC Before His Iron Man Fame With MCU

2. James Bond

Henry Cavill, the renowned actor acclaimed for his portrayal of Superman, experienced a significant setback when he aimed for the iconic role of James Bond. Despite his talent, he faced rejection pursuing Agent 007 in Casino Royale. The Man of Steel and The Witcher star auditioned for Bond, but director Martin Campbell chose Daniel Craig, leaving Cavill feeling humiliated due to feedback on his age and physical fitness. Cavill told Men’s Health,

“I remember the director, Martin Campbell, saying, ‘Looking a little chubby there, Henry’,” says Cavill. “I didn’t know how to train or diet. And I’m glad Martin said something, because I respond well to truth. It helps me get better.”

Cavill, disappointed by the outcome, openly acknowledged the setback, attributing his relative youth and physical condition at the time to his less-than-stellar audition. In response to the rejection and spurred by a desire to prove himself, Cavill embarked on a rigorous fitness journey. His dedication to sculpting his physique became evident, leading to a notable transformation that eventually became instrumental in landing him the role of Superman in DC’s cinematic universe.

Also Read: Why Did James Bond Filmmakers Reject Henry Cavill Before He Became DCU’s Superman?

3. Batman – Batman Begins

In the realm of superheroes, Henry Cavill nearly found himself in the iconic cape and cowl of Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, in Christopher Nolan’s revered Dark Knight trilogy that commenced with Batman Begins. The trilogy set a new tone for the character, delving deep into the origins of Bruce Wayne and his transformation into the Caped Crusader. Amidst the search for the perfect embodiment of this younger iteration of Wayne, Cavill’s name was in the mix.

Interestingly, although considered by the casting director, Cavill opted out of auditioning for the role. This chance to embody the iconic vigilante could have reshaped his career trajectory significantly. Missing the opportunity to portray the complex Bruce Wayne might have been pivotal, yet his later role as Superman in the DC Extended Universe charted a different path in his superhero journey.

Also Read: Henry Cavill’s Fans Won’t be Happy With Producer Barbara Broccoli’s Comments on the Next James Bond