After his portrayal as DCU’s Superman, Henry Cavill went on to become one of the most sought-after action stars in Hollywood. Of course, he earned it further by lifting his name up top after appearing in Netflix’s original show The Witcher.
The Geralt of Rivia actor has an abundance of credits to his name, most of which have helped the actor to rise as an action star. Cavill joined legendary action star Tom Cruise in the 2018 film Mission: Impossible – Fallout of the popular Mission: Impossible franchise where he played the villainous August Walker.
Henry Cavill Roped In The Mission: Impossible – Fallout Stunt
The Mission Impossible franchise is a series of packages dropping with new villains with every installment. The franchise debuted in 1996 with the first installment Mission: Impossible and had a long run ever since. Tom Cruise, being the worthy hero of the mega-franchise, has been doing his own stunts for the movies, even in his new movies at the age of 60. Cruise doing his own stunts is not even surprising anymore as the actor is dedicated to his roles immersing in the character’s traits until his adrenaline is pushed to the edge of the limit.
Perhaps, Henry Cavill was also possessed by the same adrenaline-rushing dedication when he joined Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Also, maybe he could feel the air in the set where Cruise’s impossible stunts were in talks. Or he might have felt the pressure to go near the standards of his fellow actor but Cavill joined in. Of course, the Man of Steel star could feel the imminent danger of the stunts but it never stopped the actor who once aspired to be an “elite soldier” as a kid.
“It’s what they call mental stamina — because what you believe is your physical boundary is actually just a mental boundary. It was extraordinarily uncomfortable; my body did not want to keep getting back in the helicopter, but I just kept doing it,” he told The Hollywood Reporter.
Despite challenges, Cavill proved his ability to incorporate a methodical dedication to a role like his fellow co-star.
Henry Cavill’s Lethal Villainous Character Saved The Action Flick
Of course, when Cruise is around any movie hardly needs to be saved but his action movies require a great villain to sustain the gravity of the plot. Cavill’s portrayal of the antagonist in Mission: Impossible – Fallout as August Walker is charming and quite likable who is in possession of extreme power. August Walker is lethal with his ability to fool Cruise’s Ethan Hunt masking his persona as a highly decorated government operative of the CIA who later came out as John Lark.
The director of the film Christopher McQuarrie later revealed to The Hollywood Reporter the physical extremity the actor had to endure.
“It was an extreme form of physical punishment. We would get back to base camp and his face was literally frozen and he couldn’t make facial expressions. I don’t know another actor who would do that — not only do it, but do it with full commitment and never complain.”
It turns out, the movie ended up having an unforgettable villain keeping the thrill intact throughout the movie, thanks to Cavill’s extreme dedication. The director himself said, despite his evil traits, he “never lost that leading man appeal.”
The movie was both a critical and commercial success grossing over $791.7 million at the box office.
Cavill is set to star in Guy Ritchie’s 2024 action war movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
Source: Slash Film.
