1) Henry Cavill
Is there any modern movie superhero as controversial as Henry Cavill’s take on Superman? With his appearances in Man of Steel and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, the British star has portrayed a character far removed from the smiling symbol of truth, justice and the American way that Superman usually is. Due to the interpretation of Kal-El as a god with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Cavill is often called dull or overly dour in the role.
We would argue, though, that Cavill deserves a lot more credit. He’s actually perfectly cast. Physically, he’s the best match we have ever had for the chisel-jawed, barrel-chested hero on the page. And if you’ve ever seen Cavill in interviews or follow him on social media, you’ll know that he’s a charming, funny guy who has a great love and respect for the DC universe.
Yes, the depiction of Superman in the DCEU has arguably dropped the ball in several key ways so far, but that doesn’t mean that Henry Cavill’s to blame. The actor has actually done a great job of humanizing the character, by portraying the hardship and overwhelming responsibility of being the saviour of the world.
With all the talk of Supes as “a beacon to the world” in the Justice League trailer, it looks likely that Superman will return from the dead a much more hopeful hero, which should please the many fans out there who want the classic Big Blue Boy Scout back. Maybe then Cavill’s detractors will appreciate how pitch-perfect a choice he was to don Superman’s cape.