The M Interview: Henry Cavill pumps up before baring chest
English actor Henry Cavill spills on keeping up his super physique in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice
After starring in 2013's reboot of the Superman franchise Man Of Steel, Henry Cavill is back for seconds in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.
The 32-year-old English actor has settled nicely into the iconic red and blue suit, and is looking forward to reprising the role in the two Justice League films to come in 2017 and 2019.
Opening here tomorrow and directed by Zack Snyder, Batman V Superman is set two years after Man Of Steel, where Superman battled General Zod and devastated Metropolis.
Batman (Ben Affleck) sets out to eliminate him, while Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) unleashes new villain, Doomsday.
At our interview at the Warner Bros studio, Cavill, who is even better looking in real life, is still sporting those massive Superman muscles.
Was there any competition between you and Affleck regarding muscles?
Right before our shirtless scenes, pumping up was a requirement. But our scenes weren't together thankfully. That would be a different movie I think (laughs).
We never had that sort of competition and our gyms were in different places. We inspired each other. I went to set, saw Ben and thought, I am going to have no problem going back to the gym just because of how good Ben is doing.
What was your workout regimen like? Are you keeping it up?
I am going to go back into that as soon as this press tour is over for Justice League. I love the training. It's very hard work though and very intensive, and if you are doing it all the time, it's rewarding. It'll be eating 5,000 calories a day, and spending two hours-plus in the gym.
Tell us about the tweaks to the costume.
For me the most important thing was the ability to pee (laughs). I said to the costume designer, I need to pee this time whenever I want to. Sure enough, they put in a special set of zippers.
How long does it take to get into the suit?
I think our best time was around eight minutes, but that was really rushing it and when you are doing it that quickly, there's a risk of tearing. So probably say a safe time of around 15 minutes.
Superheroes seem to have all these cool gadgets. Are you a tech geek?
I am very much into my PC gaming, so I invest in components and expensive PCs as the PC components come out because they often have a short shelf life and are replaceable quickly.
What about cars?
I enjoy cars a lot, but in London, it's quite tricky to have a stable of cars because you don't really drive much. I think I am going to indulge in cars a bit more. I am particularly excited by the new Bentley (EXP 10 Speed 6). I have an Aston Martin, but the Bentley caught my eye just recently.
If you could have your anonymity back, what's the first thing you would do?
The mind immediately jumps to doing irresponsible things, because you can get away with it.
Like what?
I would never reveal that to you (laughs). I guess just simple things like go to a rugby match and you can enjoy that without looking bad. Because the worst picture will end up on the Internet and become a meme. So it would just be the opportunity to go out maybe in my pyjamas. I would leave the house in my pyjamas and go to the corner shop and buy something there (laughs).
How do you escape in your downtime?
I tend to treat myself rather luxuriously and will disappear for two weeks on a snazzy private yacht. I take my closest friends and their partners with me. There's no chance of cameras around apart from the ones which we have and in the hands of those that I trust.
Everyone is in the best of spirits enjoying the wonderment of (it all) and getting to swim in the sea every morning. That is when I really relax and soak up the fruits of my labour.
What do you think of the Superman curse?
Oh, people have always said, are you afraid of the curse of Superman? And it's like no, it's not a real thing (laughs). And they say, oh you are going to play Superman the rest of your life. I say, I hope not. That's up to me to perform well in other roles so I don't end up doing that.
The M Interview: Affleck wasn't 'the conventional choice'
For his second foray into the world of superheroes after 2003's Daredevil, US actor Ben Affleckdons the Batsuit.
His casting in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice caused backlash on the Internet. Not only that, the 43-year-old was in the news with his divorce last year from US actress Jennifer Garner after 10 years of marriage and three children.
Affleck has taken the press scrutiny in his stride, and shows up at the Warner Bros studios for our interview with his signature wit.
Address all the noise about your casting.
I don't think I was the conventional choice.
When you do something different, people think this is the wrong idea. You can't go out there and explain what you are going to do and how you will do it and why you think it's going to be good. You can only do the movie the best you can, and hope people appreciate it and hope that is what the fans really want.
What appealed to you about the movie?
I made the decision based on the criteria I always use: the script, director and character.
All three were really appealing to me. It's a very different kind of Batman. It's like a heavyweight fighter in the 12th round who is sagging and is covered with sweat and blood and has been through the ringer and is wondering, what was it all worth?
I thought that was a nice place to start a story and to introduce this threat, Superman, to him and see how he would react.
What is your kryptonite in life?
Greasy foods are my weakness. Burgers, fast food, that kind of thing.
Do you think making a marriage work is harder in Hollywood?
I don't know. That's the end of my answer to that question. Do you have another question?
How have you coped with the difficult times then?
Being a public figure comes with its own challenges and there are a lot of great things I enjoy, and I keep in mind the fact that I am really quite fortunate.
So from that point of view, I don't spend too much time bemoaning the downside. You lose some privacy and I deal with it by adopting that perspective, which is that I have a great life and wonderful children and I have no reason to lament too much. Jennifer is a great mother and I am lucky to be co-parenting with her. She is an extraordinary woman and mother and so I have been lucky and blessed in many ways.
I have a great life and wonderful children and I have no reason to lament too much. Jennifer is a great mother and I am lucky to be co-parenting with her. She is an extraordinary woman and
mother and so I have been lucky and blessed in many ways.
- Ben Affleck on being a public figure
BY THE NUMBERS
1941 The year Superman and Batman first appeared together in DC's World's Best Comics #1 (Spring 1941)
75 Number of years Wonder Woman has been in existence. She was introduced in December 1941 in All Star Comics #8. Gal Gadot's portrayal in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice is the first time the character has appeared in a movie
5,000 Number of calories Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill reportedly consumed daily to attain their superhero physiques
153 Number of minutes Batman V Superman runs. The original cut was supposed to be three hours long
100 Henry Cavill's heaviest weight (in kg) during his training to become Superman
10 Number of DC's upcoming movies, including Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and two Justice League films from now until 2020
$558M (US$410m) Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice's reported production budget, which ballooned from the original US$250 million
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
