Henry Cavill Thought He Looked “Like S*” in the Original Superman Costume**
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Before he became the iconic Superman of the DC Extended Universe, Henry Cavill had a candid moment of self-doubt during his audition for Man of Steel (2013). In a strikingly honest reflection, the actor admitted that wearing Christopher Reeve’s legendary Superman suit left him feeling far from heroic.
Cavill, who had just completed The Cold Light of Day (2012) alongside Bruce Willis, was not in his peak physical form at the time. He had intentionally shed muscle for that role, leaving him slimmer than the bulked-up figure expected for Superman. With no newly tailored costume ready, he stepped into the classic Reeve suit—a move steeped in tradition, yet personally jarring.
Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Cavill’s reaction to seeing a photo of himself in the iconic outfit was blunt: “It looks like s***.” The remark captured his own disappointment, likely fueled by the mismatch between his current physique and the heroic silhouette audiences associate with Superman.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Cavill revealed his inner turmoil during the audition: “Oh, god. They’re going to look at me and go, ‘He’s not Superman. Not a chance.’ The actor inside me was going: You’re not ready! You’re not ready!” He described feeling that the costume highlighted his perceived inadequacy, rather than the commanding presence he later embodied on screen. Reports from The Cheat Sheet echoed this sentiment, noting Cavill felt he had “bombed” the audition due to his appearance.
Yet the discomfort he felt was compounded by practical realities: the Reeve suit was tailored for a different build, and Cavill’s slimmer frame made it less flattering. As Collider noted, wearing the classic suit for screen tests magnified his self-doubt, even as he tried to project confidence.
Despite Cavill’s internal misgivings, director Zack Snyder’s assessment was far more positive. “He walked out, and no one laughed. Other actors put that suit on, and it’s a joke, even if they’re great actors. Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go ‘Wow.’ Okay: This was Superman,” Snyder told Entertainment Weekly. Snyder’s focus was on Cavill’s presence and poise rather than purely on his physique, ultimately securing him the role.
The contrast between Cavill’s own harsh critique and Snyder’s validation underscores a recurring truth in Hollywood: confidence and embodiment of character can outweigh perceived imperfections in appearance. Cavill’s candid reflections now offer fans a glimpse into the vulnerability behind one of cinema’s most physically iconic roles, proving that even superheroes wrestle with self-doubt before rising to the occasion.
If you want, I can also draft a more punchy, viral-ready version for online outlets or social media that emphasizes Cavill’s humor and vulnerability in this story. Do you want me to do that?
