Henry Cavill

His dream role is to play Alexander the Great

Likes rugby, but no longer plays due to injuries.

Author Stephanie Meyer based the description of Edward Cullen in her Twilight novels on Henry and even lobbied for him to play the role before Robert Pattinson was cast, but was considered too old to play a 17-year old by the time the movie was produced.

In 2005, Henry became a young contender for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale , and performed in a final screen test. However, the producers believed Henry was too young for the role, and gave it to Daniel Craig. He also under heavy consideration and auditioned for the role of Superman in Superman Returns , but eventually the role was given to Brandon Routh. Due to all this, Empire magazine dubbed Henry Cavill "the most unlucky man in Hollywood" in December 2005.

Says if he had not picked up acting, he would have joined the armed forces to fulfill his "patriotic pride".

Has an interest in Ancient History, especially in Egyptology, Greek, and Ancient Rome.

In being cast as Superman in Man of Steel , he becomes the third British actor to play the lead role in reboot of a successful screen adaptation of an American comic book series. Before him, Christian Bale was cast as Batman, and Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man.

Is the first non-American actor to play Superman.

Is a huge fan of video games.

Lost two roles to Robert Pattinson : Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the role of Edward Cullen in Twilight which author Stephanie Meyer had described him as "Perfect for".

His favorite movie is the epic drama Gladiator .

His favorite actor is Russell Crowe. He will be playing the son of Crowes character Jor-El in Man of Steel .

Has a knack for languages. Hes already fluent in French, has conversational skills in Italian and German, and can order a beer in Czech.

Started a tradition in 2012 for giving out commemorative coins as a token of appreciation to people he has worked with. They include Gym Jones who helped Henry get physically fit for Superman, and crew members of Man of Steel , The Man from U.N.C.L.E. , and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice .

Henrys last name Cavill is pronounced like the word travel.

Resides in London, United Kingdom and Jersey, Channel Islands.

His older brother, Major Niki Richard Dalgliesh Cavill, received an MBE as a heroic Royal Marine for keeping the vulnerable safe in a hostile environment in Afghanistan.

Has worked with actor Bill Nighy twice, once in I Capture the Castle and also "The Inspector Lynley Mysteries" .

Is a huge fan of comic books although he says he did not get to read them growing up due to his time at boarding school.

His favorite Superman storylines and the ones he used for inspiration are "Death of Superman", "Return of Superman", "Superman: Red Son" and "Earth-One". He is also a huge fan of Grant Morrisons "New 52" work.

His favorite Superman story arc is "New Krypton" by Geoff Johns.

For his role as Clark Kent/Superman in Man of Steel , he followed a strict work-out regimen and consumed 5000 calories a day for six months. He also dyed his hair black.

He did not watch any previous Superman films or television series while making Man of Steel , using the comics solely as a reference for his portrayal of Superman.

He achieved 6% body fat for Immortals and then went even further for Man of Steel where he achieved a body fat percentage of 3%, which is what body-builders reach during competitions.

During his childhood he was bullied a lot at school for his chubbiness and known as "Fat Cavill" because he was fat as a kid. He started to turn things around when he landed a role in the movie The Count of Monte Cristo where he had to lose a lot of weight to get the part. The biggest turning point came when he landed the lead role in Immortals . Cavill went shirtless for half the movie and sported extremely chiseled eight pack abs that vowed the audience. He has never been called "fat" since then.

Played a role with the name Colley twice, and back to back. Soldier Colley in Goodbye, Mr. Chips and Stephen Colley in I Capture the Castle .

Was engaged to British Showjumper Ellen Whitaker in May 2011, but separated later that same year. They met at the 2009 Olympia International Horse Show in London.

Ranked the #1 "Sexiest Man" by Glamour magazine.

Voted as one of the "Worlds Sexiest Men" in a poll by Attitude , behind Tom Daley.

While working as an extra in A Beautiful Mind , Cavill asked Russell Crowe for advice about acting, since he had aspirations of pursuing a full-time career as an actor. A few days after their conversation, he received a box of gifts from Crowe that included a signed picture of him in Gladiator with the words, "Dear Henry: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" written on it. Crowe would later play Henrys father in Man of Steel .

Is the first actor since Christopher Reeve to play the role of Clark Kent/Superman in more than one film.

Good friends with Luke Evans , Jason Momoa , Luca Calvani and Armie Hammer.

Henrys paternal grandparents, Richard Cavill and Gladys Jesse May Smith, were English. Henrys maternal grandfather, Alan Gardner Dalgliesh, was born in Guatemala, of English and Scottish descent, while Henrys maternal grandmother, Mary Kathleen ODonnell, was Irish.

Bought an American Akita dog in January 2014 from Big Bear Akitas breeders in Arkansas, United States. Henry named him Kal, after his role as Superman. Fans have nicknamed his dog, Super Puppy.

Henry participated in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) training programme during his time as a student at Stowe School.

Traditionally wears a signet "gentlemans" ring featuring his family coat of arms on the small finger of his left hand.

His fans have been called The Cavillry.

(August 2016) Attended the London premiere of Suicide Squad along with fellow Justice League cast member Jason Momoa.

In 2002, he appeared in both The Count of Monte Cristo and Goodbye, Mr. Chips . Both were remakes of earlier films that originally starred Robert Donat in the title roles.

Admitted during an interview with Conan OBrien that he narrowly missed the call from Zack Snyder, informing him that he had won the coveted role of Superman because he was busy playing World of Warcraft. Cavill said he only noticed Snyders name on Caller ID at the last second and by the time he put his hand on the phone to pick it up, it was too late, so he called Snyder back immediately, jokingly stating he was busy saving someones life.

Was director Martin Campbell s choice for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale , but he was outvoted by the producers who felt he was too young for the role. The role went to Daniel Craig.

[on understanding the importance of playing Superman] Very much so, yes.

[on how his appearance changed after he had trained to become Superman],The body got harder and leaner. But the biggest change was the waist,getting smaller. A lot smaller. I genuinely had to throw my clothes,out, since my shoulders are too big and my waist is too small.

[Which film does he think he got in the best shape for] The body types,of Superman [Man of Steel] and Theseus [Immortals] are very different.

Training related to Theseus is very much a body weight, cardiovascular,type training which will give a very lean, and not bulky body. Whereas,Superman is very much a weight lifting program with an awful lot of,power workouts as well which creates a far larger broader body. I am,twenty pounds heavier as Superman, but just as lean as Theseus. It is,all down to personal preference in the end.

That was the biggest challenge.

[on shaving his chest for Immortals] It is extremely excruciating but I,gotta say waxing has its advantages in that you end up looking more,defined.

[on his muscles ripping his clothes open] [In the middle of the filming],of Man of Steel, I had a suit tailored for the Immortals premiere. At,that stage, I was at my very leanest, it was just after shooting my,shirtless scenes [for Man of Steel]. At the very end of the [filming of,Man of Steel], I put that suit on again for a photoshoot we were doing,and I ripped the seams, the inside seams, just because my thighs were,that much bigger.

[on wanting to be a leading man in Hollywood] I want to be one of those,names that producers want to hire because you put bums on seats.

[on what he has to give up while keeping in shape for Superman] Guinness,is what I crave, but it is not ideal for six pack abs.

[on how he plans to succeed in Hollywood] There are people who are,better looking than I am and people who are better actors than I am. I,just have to beat them to the chase.

[on who is cooler between Napoleon Solo and Superman] Napolean Solo is,cooler. As far you rate someone by just interacting with them, Napolean,would be far more enjoyable to interact with.

[on the prospect of using Tinder] Superman can hardly go on Tinder, can,he? Actually it would probably be a lot easier. . .

[on always agreeing to take pictures with fans] People are very polite.

Otherwise, no.

My mother works in a bank, and my dad is the head of my management team and also works in finance.

My version of Superman is essentially of a guy who has spent his whole life alone. .