One cannot separate the aura of invincibility and power from Hollywood star Henry Cavill and his on-screen superhero persona, Superman.
The British star who took on the mantle of DC’s iconic superhero in 2013 with Man Of Steel, has been widely considered one of the best choices for the role owing to his towering physicality, intensity, and chiseled good looks.
But these qualities were not God-given gifts for the star during his childhood years. In an interview with Men’s Health in 2019, the handsome star opened up on many lesser-known facts about himself. This included the challenges and difficulties he faced as a young boy due to his appearance which made him an easy target for bullies.
With mesmerizing good looks and a physique that is the envy of many, it is hard to imagine that Henry Cavill was anything but dashing during his childhood. But The Witcher star revealed that life was very different and challenging for him as a young boy.
The actor in a in-depth interview with Men’s Health, spoke candidly about his issues with weight that resulted in him being bullied by his peers. The actor who was called “ Fat Cavill” during his childhood, almost succumbed to the nasty comments and withdrew into his shell.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill was body shamed and bullied as a young boy
But over the years, his desire to survive and fight the negativity took over which then allowed the star to gain self-esteem by losing weight and participating in many stage productions and sporting activities. The actor who conquered a personal best in deadlifting at 495 pounds, said that his experiences during childhood were the stepping stone to him entering the entertainment business. Speaking of the time gone by, Cavill said,
“It actually helped me survive. Even the kids who were nasty to me at times and took pleasure in squashing me — when I finished a play, they’d say, ‘Wow, you’re really good.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, this is where I draw my strength from.’”
Cavill’s determination to overcome the odds and make a life for himself resulted in the actor becoming one of the most loved and popular stars in Hollywood. While Henry Cavill made his DC debut in 2013 with Man of Steel, he was considered to play the character many years before that when Terminator Salvation Director McG was tipped to helm a DC project involving Superman.
The film though did not materialize as the director who was famously afraid of flying, refused to fly to Australia where the film was supposed to be shot for the majority of its running time. Cavill had even auditioned for the role including shooing images in the Superman suit. Speaking of the second chance he got with Zack Snyder, Cavill said,
With his shocking departure from the DCU after the appointment of James Gunn as DC head, speculation is rife about who will next fill Henry Cavill’s big shoes as Superman in the newly rebooted franchise.
Sharanya is a mom, bookworm, and cinephile. Having completed her Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, writing is one of her passions. When she is not running behind her 11 and 9 year old, she spends her time watching and blogging about movies.
She enjoys a range of genres from Indian mass entertainers to Hollywood and world cinema. Her interests also include analyzing pop culture in movies and music.
"If I ever felt something bad might happen": Losing 63 lbs in 4 Months, Christian Bale Made His Wife's Life a Nightmare Who Had to Watch Him Go Through the Painful Journey Christian Bale has continued to stun fans with his versatility and physical transformation, leading films of varied genres.
But again, the kind of transformation the Dark Knight Rises star underwent for a 2004 film, came as his wife’s worst nightmare, who had to witness her husband undergo a drastic transformation. Bale pushed his limit a bit too far as he lost 63 lbs in just four months.
During the filming of The Machinist, Christian Bale underwent an insane body transformation – losing 63 lbs in four months. The actor revealed that his diet consisted of practically nothing, further revealing:
“My daily thing was generally like a bit of a coffee and an apple if I felt like it. Well, I had to eat the pie in the scene, and then there was a scene of eating chicken as well.
But I tried not to swallow. Because it’s amazing how you can literally just have a couple of bites of something and your face will expand again if you’re really at that low point.”
Also Read: “I was absolutely blown away”: Christopher Nolan Claims Cillian Murphy Will Eclipse Christian Bale’s Batman Performance in Oppenheimer
But this wasn’t the tough part for Bale. It was letting his wife, Sibi Blazic, watch him go through this painful journey. The actor had to assure his wife that if he ever put his health at risk, he would abandon the project. He said:
“It was tough. Although my wife was with me the whole way, so it was a gradual decline, it wasn’t very pleasant for her to be around and witness. She did get pretty worried, and I promised her that if I ever felt something bad might happen, I’d just quit.”
Bale dropped an insane 63 lbs to portray the insomniac character, Trevor Reznik in the 2004 thriller, The Machinist, undergoing a strict diet consisting of water, an apple, and one cup of coffee each day. The movie, however, gained a cult status, courtesy of Bale’s captivating performance.
Christian Bale Admitted His Fear Of Being Mortal
Christian Bale’s diet for The Machinist is a classic example of why one shouldn’t push limits to such an extent. Even though Bale’s conviction to portray the “extremely skinny” factory worker is commendable, the diet he picked is surely dangerous for the body, and shouldn’t be attempted.
For his role in the Brad Anderson-directed movie, Bale ate only 5% of the general standard of 2000 calories. Pursuing such weight loss measures to the extreme can result in plenty of complications, including nutritional deficiencies, weakened bones, and a compromised immune system.
In a 2019 interview, Bale admitted that he wasn’t looking to “explore the option of undertaking any more drastic Hollywood transformations,” and confessed: “I’ve become a little bit more boring now because I’m older and I feel like if I keep doing what I’ve done in the past I’m going to die. So, I’d prefer not to die.”
In another interview, the actor also confessed that he can’t keep doing such transformations, famously saying: “My mortality is staring me in the face.” Christian Bale previously fattened up for American Hustle, got down to single-digit body fat for American Psycho, bulked up for the Dark Knight trilogy, and then dropped an insane weight for Vice.
I am Mallika Singh, a lawyer and writer by profession. Writing gives me a sense of freedom and independence. I am a keen observer and an ardent reader. When not at work, you can find me at the stable. Horse riding is another passion that keeps me going.
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