Russell Crowe’s popularity during the 2000s was immense after his charismatic performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius in the historical epic film, Gladiator. His performance was acknowledged by everyone as he won an Academy Award for the Best Actor category. Fans called him a God amongst men, as every producer and filmmaker in the industry wanted to work with the actor.
Each role that the actor took was different from the previous role he played, continuously proving why he is a versatile and accomplished actor in the movie industry. While Russell Crowe had built an image where he was a very difficult actor to work with, he is solely responsible for making Henry Cavill the actor he is today. Crowe gave him the necessary advice which helped the actor become the person he is.
Russell Crowe’s Advice Made Henry Cavill A Successful Actor
There’s no denying that Henry Cavill is an exceptionally talented and versatile actor. He captures the attention of the audience with his good looks and bewitching performance, assisting him to win the hearts of his fans. Cavill has always been dedicated to his craft and committed to playing his roles perfectly, but during his struggle as a new actor, he had a plethora of doubts as an actor, and it was Russell Crowe, who gave him a piece of advice that made Cavill as successful as he is today.
During an exclusive interview with CNN, both Crowe and Cavill were present, they shared that the duo met while filming the hostage thriller film, Proof of Life, in 2000 at the Stowe School in the UK. Crowe shared that he was captivated by a young Henry Cavill, and his Rugby skills had captured the attention of the Academy Award-winning actor, and during the game, he cleared his doubts.
“There was a rugby match being played in the background and there was one kid on that field who was quite dominant and fluid and so he caught my eye. And in between shots that kid came over and talked to me but all his questions were about acting.”
Henry Cavill said the story from his perspective, where he asked Crowe if he had any tips for him that will aid him in becoming a great actor.
“I walked up to him, stuck my hand out, and said ‘Hi my name’s Henry, I am considering becoming an actor, any tips? What’s it like?” and he said, “Well you know the pay is great but sometimes they don’t treat you so good – and I’m paraphrasing!”
The brief meeting with the actor left the young actor impressed, and Crowe shared that he sent an unexpected mail to Henry Cavill, with a piece of advice that shaped his future as a great actor.
“I received an Aussie rugby jersey,” Cavill remembers, “some Aussie sweets, some Vegemite, a band CD and a picture of him in Gladiator saying ‘Dear Henry, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Russell.”
The veteran actor’s advice immensely helped Henry Cavill to become a great actor, and as fate would have it, the two actors starred together 12 years later, where Crowe played the role of Cavill’s father in Man of Steel.
Russell Crowe and Henry Cavill Reunite in Man of Steel
In the same interview, Russell Crowe shared that when he was appointed to work alongside Henry Cavill, he struggled to recognize him, but he was sure that he has seen the young actor somewhere, for sure.
“Twelve years later I’m in a gym in Naperville, Illinois and I’m working out with my son in this movie that I’m doing, he’s on the other side of the gym and I knew I knew him from somewhere, I just didn’t know – I couldn’t place him.”
The Unhinged actor asked Cavill if he knows him, but the Enola Holmes actor did not reveal anything as he felt it was too embarrassing to share.
“I didn’t want walk up to him and put him in that embarrassing situation where he has to lie to me like ‘Hi, remember me? The kid from 12 years ago, the one kid you met during the shoot one day’ I just assumed he wouldn’t.”
However, Russell Crowe did remember Cavill as a kid and had a chat about their earlier meeting.
“He said ‘do you remember a kid that came and talked to you?’ I went yeah, he goes and he talked to you about acting?’ I said yes I do remember that, what did I say? And he said ‘well they pay you pretty well but they treat you like s*** and I said yes Henry I did say that, good to see you! So it’s an amazing little karmic circle.”
And Henry Cavill shares that this was one of the rare moments in his life where he got to work with their idol.
“We had a good laugh about it. It’s one of those moments in life where you think what are the chances?”
And their work together in Man of Steel was outstanding, as their performance in the film made the movie a massive hit that cemented his legacy in the DC Universe.
Man of Steel can be streamed on HBO Max.
Source: CNN
