Cavill enjoyed delving into Superman role
Actor explores iconic character’s insecurities in Batman v Superman
After Man of Steel (2013), Henry Cavill decided to keep going to the gym to maintain his Superman physique. Cavill knew he’d return as the superhero but didn’t realize the stakes would be raised for Zack Snyder’s specialeffects epic Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. For one thing, the 32-year-old British actor needed to add 20 pounds more muscle to his already solid frame for his second Man of Steel portrayal.
He also had to delve into the psyche of the alien who champions justice, and yet comes to blows with a disgruntled Batman (Ben Affleck), at odds with Superman’s recklessness.
“It was delving into the psychology and his weakness therein,” says Cavill of his superhero in transition.
Mind you, Superman has other issues besides dealing with Batman “but the idea was nothing but exciting.”
In assorted subplots, Superman’s earthly mother Martha (Diane Lane), is in trouble and girlfriend Lois Lane (Amy Adams), becomes concerned with the Man of Steel’s very human self-doubts.
“Tone to me is the No. 1 aspect of the movie that I’m interested in,” says director Snyder. “It is more (about), self-reflection in some ways.”
In other ways, the film has hyperintense action as the iconic crimefighters battle each other when they should be tracking down the dastardly and deceitful Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg).
It takes the arrival of Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), for Batman and Superman to realize where their focus should be.
It was a key ingredient for Snyder who admits that he’s “obsessed with the trinity.”
The director also allowed Cavill’s Superman as Clark Kent to develop his romance with Adams’ Lois Lane in a more human way.
A few of their scenes even border on rom-com cute, especially the moment in which Clark joins Lois in her bathtub full of soapy water. “It was weird,” says Adams. “He took off his shirt over me and I didn’t know where to look. I thought, ‘I should touch him. I shouldn’t touch him.’ But I knew we were supposed to be in a realistic relationship.”
Cavill says that he took the playful sequence in stride.
“He totally gets my sense of humour so we had a good time with it,” says Adams.
Snyder was impressed with Adams’ ability to keep the bathtub improvising out of the R-rated zone.
“I had training in American Hustle to keep the nipples just out of view,” says the actress.
Meanwhile, Cavill and Affleck es- caped serious injury during their crowd-pleasing stunt duties as the dysfunctional combatants.
On the philosophical front, however, audiences may question the value of Batman and Superman’s unpredictable approach to due process underscored in the latest film.
“In the fictitious reality (the value), is explained very clearly in the movie,” says Cavill smiling. “And I agree with it.”