It might be hard to believe this where Hollywood’s latest superhero It Boy is concerned, but Henry Cavill possesses a complicated relationship with his body image. To date, he’s revealed bits and pieces of his insecurity by admitting that he was called “Fat Cavill” as a child, yet he also refused to take the easy way out with his physique by settling for Man of Steel CGI abs and, instead, insisted that “I just want to do it myself.”
Well, it turns out that Henry did a lot more for this movie role than just eat clean and obsessively hit the gym like a madman. When it came time for Henry’s shirtless scenes, he said he essentially stopped eating anything at all. Man, at first I thought he was just exaggerating his past struggles with weight, but now I am actually worried about this guy. I do hope he didn’t resort to eating cotton balls or the like. Here’s the lowdown from HuffPo:
In order to truly become Superman, Henry Cavill not only read all the comic books before filming, but he took some drastic measures to make sure his body was in tip-top shape as well.
“I ate a lot and worked out like a fiend,” he revealed to The Gossip Table at the Man of Steel premiere. “But then, only for the shirtless scenes, I really stopped eating.”
And this isn’t the first time that Cavill, who admitted to Details magazine that he struggled with his weight as a boy, has altered his eating habits for an acting gig. In 2002, the then-17-year-old “lost one and half stone (21 pounds)” after landing a role in 2002’s The Count of Monte Cristo.
But now that the movie is out and the reviews are in, all Cavill can do is sit back and enjoy his performance … maybe even with some candy and popcorn?
[From HuffPo]
The discomfort doesn’t stop there, but at least this next part is kind of funny. Henry has also revealed to Katie Couric (via Page Six) that he was very challenged by wearing an “alien body glove” that translated into very infrequent bathroom visits: “It’s quite a tight suit. Going to the lavatory wasn’t the easiest thing. It would take some time to get in and out, [so] I’d have to wait. I got one bottle of water every half-day … brutal.” Poor Henry. There are few things more distracting than having to “hold it” all day long. If I were him, I’d definitely make sure to pee as much as possible before filming begins on the film’s inevitable sequel.
Dude does look good shirtless though, doesn’t he? Sadly, my lust is a bit clouded now that I’ve learned that Superman was essentially starving himself for these scenes.
Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News and WENN
I’ve heard of other actors doing that too, I guess it accentuates the six pack?
I was just going to say the exact same thing. Didn’t R Patz talk about it for sparkly shirtless Twilight scenes?
Maybe I don’t have enough context but HC’s regimen doesn’t sound too extreme, especially compared to Matthew McC’s recent massive weight loss.
Pattinson has never seen the inside of a gym or knows the torrure real actors go through for a role. Pattinson had to get spray on abs for his shirtless scenes damnit.
I believe he went to the gym for the second Twilight film – or all? Can’t say if it worked out though đŸ˜‰
This is wrong, Rob likes to play up his hate of exercising. He did work out quite a bit for the last few movies. For New Moon they had to shade the six pack lines in because he was covered in white pasty body make up that covers up any muscle definition.
He will never be one of those crazy-buffed up guys (thankfully) but this idea that he didn’t work out for a role that required it is not correct.
Sorry, I’ll get off my Rob soapbox now.
Jumping in a bit late – regardless of NM and abs v painted abs- his back and shoulders looked amazing in BD- who knows how he’ll carry weight as he gets older, but for most of Twi movies he was long and lanky.
I read another interview where there was a bit more explanation so I think this tidbit is being taken out of context. Earlier he said he ate a lot during his first part of training to bulk up. Then later, he dramatically cut back on eating to get definition. It didn’t sound like he was starving himself but more like going form 4000 calories a day to half that. So he may have said he basically “stopped eating” but I don’t think that means starving himself.
I just an article that he went from over 5,000 calories to 2,500, so that was the “not eating.”
Yes. I saw him on breakfast TV here in the UK yesterday and he said 4-5000 calories a day for the suit scenes, down to 2,500 for the shirtless/other scenes.
Not that this is an excuse, but maybe it was just the day or two before…I’ve heard where people cut out all carbs and/or liquids for a couple days to get a really cut physique.
Also, we saw the movie last night, and whatever he did to look like that worked…he was smoking hot, in the costume, shirtless, or in a t-shirt. Seriously, just hot.
A friend saw the movie yesterday and said me he’s extremely good-looking but totally bland (like a sex doll)
This is a good description.
I can recognize that the man is good looking. But I just find it a really boring good looking. Almost robotic or something. I’m not attracted to him in the least.
That is a whole lot of man for a manorexic…
Yuuuummmmmmmyyyy.
if Hollywood again wants to do a Barbie movie,Cavill can be casted as Ken
Body builders often cut all liquids and almost all food before they compete. Dehydration makes muscle tone more visible.
Not that either are good ideas, but if you have to look extremely toned for work, being hungry for a little bit is better than resorting to steroids.
How is his regime different from any other actor with shirtless scenes?
I want interviews from all True Blood guys on that topic
interesting article about Cavill for those interested:
http://actorswhisperer.blogspot.com/2013/06/henry-cavill-perfect-career-move.html
Calling him “manorexic” is a complete overreaction Bedhead. As someone up thread commented, it’s the same thing body builders do for optimal muscle definition.
My God, that is a magnificent suit in the last picture.
He is flawless. Not an imperfection on him…it is unreal.
He probably cut his intake down to the bare minimum for the shirtless scenes. I don’t think he meant he was literally fasting.
I loved Henry on the Tudors when he played the biggest slut as the Duke and BFF of King Henry VIII. His body was pretty amazing then.
I wonder if he will explode in popularity after the movie comes out. Lots of comments on how amazing he looks, but does he have the personality to hold people’s attention?
He is two years younger than I am. That hurt a little bit but then I got over it by staring at him. Mezmerizing.
Boo hoo cry me a river. Looking at his physique he clearly eats most of the time – so he had to starve for a couple of days,big deal.Something tells me most actresses starve for most of their lives. His body is unbelievable though.
I wonder if he is not under a lot of stress and just is not eating. The reviews for Superman has been mixed,I live in Chicago and the papers did not give the movie such a good review.
It’s not getting great reviews in NY either. But I think many here are chalking that up to Christopher Reeves nostalgia, and not the movie itself.
It will still make a truckload of money, and I plan to take my boys.
That said, it must be incredible stress to carry a franchise that is expected to bring in big money. This could be make or break time for him, and it was a very gutsy move to play such an iconic figure in the first place. I read somewhere (Vulture?) that they are banking on China coming out full force to see it. Apparently that’s where studios are making their money these days.
damn he’s thick. is it just me or does he have phat ass?
Say what you want about him, I will lick that vanilla cone anytime!
Well, maybe he meant stopped eating for morning before they had to film shirtless scenes. So as not to look bloated.
The fat kid thing makes me like him a little better. Though, I wonder if this is just the man version of how gorgeous models swear they were ugly ducklings (just like us!) when they were growing up… I guess what I’m saying is: fat kid pics are needed or else it didn’t happen.
He was a cute kid, but he was chubby compared to his contemporaries.
He just yum. I will never meet him so whether he’s too vanilla or dumb or dull doesn’t matter. So long as he’s a decent actor and looks good, that’s all I need.
I’ve been a bit of a fan since the start of The Tudors. That nekkid bed scene where the woman’s father burst in is stuck in my brain, he was so hot. That had to be replayed a few times. I’m looking forward to the movie. He comes across to me like he’s a bit uncomfortable with fame. Makes me like him more.
Poor dude. I hate how the industry destroys ppl and set example for the young (and even the older). However, stopping to eat for a day or two doesn’t make anyone an anorexic.
Where you see boring, I see a gentleman. Henry is good hearted, gracious, and genuine. He also has a hilarious sense of humor. He is down to earth with a good head on his shoulders.