Starring in the historical drama The Tudors (2007 – 2010), Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon was a series regular and gained considerable popularity in the film industry. He has been present in Hollywood for over two decades. One of his initial appearances included 2002’s The Count of Monte Cristo alongside Jim Caviezel and Guy Pearce.
Henry Cavill was chosen to play Superman in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013, and that opportunity set the stage for his global popularity. Though he gave an iconic performance as the Kryptonian hero once he turned 30, he came close to wearing the red cape twice when he was much younger. Superman became the only character that was destined to get back to him, while he lost out on 6 major ones worth $3 billion. The Witcher is the more recent one that Liam Hemsworth took away from him.
6. Casino Royale (2006)
Rumors of Henry Cavill becoming the new James Bond appear on the internet more frequently now considering the chapter is closed on Daniel Craig’s iteration. Being unprepared for the role in more ways than one, Henry Cavill once auditioned for it. It came down to him and Craig; the latter ultimately bagged 007 and starred in five Bond films. Cavill lost $616 million on this one!
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
The world of wizardry expanded with the fourth installment in the Harry Potter franchise and 20-year-old Henry Cavill came incredibly close to playing Cedric Diggory in the Triwizard tournament. He lost the role as the casting directors felt he wasn’t the right age. It paved the way for Robert Pattinson and the $896 million Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire became his breakthrough opportunity.
4. Batman Begins (2005)
If not for Superman, Henry Cavill could have started his DC journey becoming the Dark Knight in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. Cavill was in negotiations for the role early on in the shortlisting process, but he could never secure an audition. Christian Bale eventually played Bruce Wayne in the $373 million film and his portrayal has been a fan favorite ever since.
3. 300 (2006)
Not just Man of Steel, Zack Snyder believed in Henry Cavill’s potential for the second film to his credit – 300. The $456 million film starred Gerard Butler as King Leonidas, but he was almost dethroned by Cavill. Creative differences led Snyder to move forward with Butler instead and saved Cavill for mega spectacles like Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, and Justice League.
2. Twilight (2008)
The second time Henry Cavill went after Robert Pattinson’s role was in the $408 million Twilight. Cavill was 24 at the time and it was reported that the creator – Stephenie Meyer looked for him initially. Robert Pattinson, being 3 years younger, bagged the role, again! Cavill once told Variety that no one had contacted him for the screen test.
1. Superman Returns (2006)
Henry Cavill was attached to the Superman role even before Superman Returns. He once filmed some scenes for J.J. Abrams scrapped – Superman Flyby when he was only a teenager. The film’s script faced backlash and Cavill had to let go. Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns had him appear for the screen test again. But Singer wasn’t sold on Cavill’s audition and thought Brandon Routh would make a good fit for the $391 million DC outing. Routh got the part as he resembled the late Christopher Reeves.
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