10 Years Before Exit from ‘The Witcher’ and Superman, Henry Cavill Once Made A Major Statement on British superhero actors

via Getty
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 19: British actor Henry Cavill poses for pictures during the Batman v Superman Movie photocall at Hotel St Regis on March 19, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent via Getty Images)
Henry Cavill was first introduced as a superhero back in 2013 with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. Following that, we saw him in Justice League and last in Black Adam. This isn’t the only world he plays a superhero in. The Enola Holmes actor portrayed the famed Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher. All of them have one thing in common- his exit from them. The fans were devastated about losing the British actor. While he prepared to move on to other experiences, he has one thing in common with a lot of actors in the superhero realm.
Back in 2013, the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice actor revealed the dynamics of the superhero actors’ realm. Cinemagoers were subject to a lot less versatility three decades ago than they have been since the past decade.
The unbiased fix for stereotypes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The types of roles that actors and actresses now enjoy on screen are less influenced by regional or gender-based differences. Back in June 2013, HeyUGuys conducted an interview where the British actor reiterated this point. He was asked about how British actors developed from playing villains in superhero films. Actors like Andrew Garfield, Christian Bale, and even the Enola Holmes actor were called the agents of change. Cavill dismissed that and gave an unbiased reply.
He talked about how cinema and the mindset surrounding stereotypical representation is a thing of the past. The focus shifted from the actor’s ethnicity to their ability to perform a role. It was not about “British or non-American.” He was proud of how cinemagoers had shed that association, too.
While Cavill’s Superman brought about a new era for the superhero, the list of British counterparts does not just stop at Garfield or Bale.
Henry Cavill and all his British heroic and villainous counterparts
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Garfield became one of two Spidermen in the MCU. Tom Holland carried his baton forward, currently reigning as the friendly neighborhood superhero. On the other hand, Bale’s Batman gave us a steely gazed hero. Not only did they bring European talent into an otherwise American-dominated genre, but also shed stereotypes and diversified their roles.

via Imago
Christian Bale Characters: Bruce Wayne Film: The Dark Knight Rises USA/UK 2012 Director: Christopher Nolan 16 July 2012 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: MaryxEvansxAFxArchivexWarnerxBros. 13058206 EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Be it Benedict Cumberbatch’s Dr. Strange, Karen Gillan’s Nebula, Anthony Hopkins’ Odin, or Paul Bettany’s Vision, we don’t have any shortage of them in the superhero realm. In addition, Tom Hiddleston is infamous for his villainous character, Loki. This solidifies what Cavill meant a decade ago.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think about what Cavill said in the interview? Comment below and let us know.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT