There are many reasons why Henry Cavill has fans all around the globe, and his Greek-God looks are just one of them. The biggest reason behind so many people flocking after him is undoubtedly his talent as an actor. Be it Superman or Sherlock Holmes, Henry Cavill has always effortlessly managed to make his audience fall in love with his characters.
However, things are not always easy for the actor. In fact, he has previously recalled how he completely butchered an audition in the early ‘00s, that too, in front of legendary actor Patrick Stewart. Luckily, Patrick Stewart’s kindness toward Henry Cavill saved the young actor’s spirits from dampening.
Henry Cavill Recalls Horrible Audition with Patrick Stewart
A couple of decades ago, Henry Cavill and his agent decided that the actor should audition for the 2003 movie, The Lion in Winter, starring Patrick Stewart. And while Cavill is an incredible actor, the role simply was not meant for him, and he ended up failing miserably.
During Variety’s Actors on Actors interview, Cavill recalled how he “flubbed” the audition and walked away disappointed.
“I was extremely nervous to audition in front of an actor of your caliber. I went in to the audition and I had spent weeks learning my lines. By the time I had gotten in there, I had whipped myself into such a frenzy that I completely flubbed the audition… I didn’t remember my lines, and I forgot how to act. Then, I left with my tail between my legs.”
After getting some fresh air and stopping to think for a moment, Cavill realized that he was running away from a great opportunity. He decided to go back and give it one more shot.
“As I was walking down some street in London, I thought, ‘I’m not going to walk away from an audition with Sir Patrick Stewart. Have it be a battle. Try to get back in there because I know that I can do better.’ So, my agent arranged for me to go back in and you said yes… I did another audition and it went far better. Not good enough to get the job, but it was far better.”
Perhaps what helped ease Cavill’s spirits the second time around was Stewart being kind and gracious toward the young actor. Cavill recalled the kind words Stewart said to him.
“You gave me very kind words and you said, ‘I’m so glad that you came back in.’ That gave me such strength throughout my career and I’ve never forgotten it.”
After all, a little kindness goes a long way, doesn’t it?
Henry Cavill Believes You Shouldn’t Cry Over a Bad Audition
Mistakes happen all the time. You possibly cannot expect someone to nail every task that comes along their way now, can you? Luckily, the audition with Stewart made Cavill realize exactly this. Speaking in a different interview, the Man of Steel actor stated,
“Sometimes you just have a bad audition. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad actor, but in that cast together, terrible. That director says you’re terrible. I did an audition for Patrick Stewart many, many moons ago… and I walked in there, Patrick’s there doing the reading with you, and I completely dropped the ball. I just screwed up the audition. Sometimes it happens. It’s like doing a bad take or having a bad couple of takes on set… That’s why the auditioning process is so harsh. It’s not a great read on whether an actor is a good actor or not.”
Cavill’s words are undoubtedly going to give strength to many young actors receiving one rejection after the other. As he said, a bad audition doesn’t equal a bad actor. You just have to keep trusting yourself and move on to the next thing. Of course, it’s an added bonus if you meet someone like Stewart along the way!
You can rent/buy The Lion in Winter on Prime Video.
