Henry Cavill IS Superman: - Part 4

[LL2K2]

EDIT: An more accurate account:

"Still fresh off The Machinist, it became necessary for Bale to bulk up to match Batman's muscular physique. He was given a deadline of six months to do this. Bale recalled it as far from a simple accomplishment: "...when it actually came to building muscle, I was useless. I couldn't do one push up the first day. All of the muscles were gone, so I had a real tough time rebuilding all of that."[24] With the help of a personal trainer, Bale succeeded in meeting the deadline, gaining a total of 100 lb (45 kg) in six months. He went from about 130 lbs to 230 lbs.[32] He then discovered that he had actually gained more weight than the director desired, and dropped his weight to 190 lbs by the time filming began.[33]"

"You used Wikipedia for your research? Tsk, tsk..."

 

[elgaz]

I think Superman works better with a leaner build and a more graceful looking shape. He should look strong and fast. Bale looked like he could barrel through you.

I'm actually on the opposite camp; I always thought Batman actually suited the leaner, faster shape. He's the one with ninja skills who relies on his human speed for the element of surprise; I've never felt that a bulky, over-muscular look was befitting someone who carries out these type of movements and who seems to sleep little but spends his nights prowling rooftops. When would he get time to work out?

Superman, on the other hand .......... perhaps I'm sentimental after reading so many older Superman comics and following all the media through the years, but I've always pictured Superman as being strong, large, barrell-chested. With their advanced Kryptonian phsyiology, he will already have a naturally muscular build regardless of the fact that his muscle size has little bearing on how strong he actually is, unlike humans.

 

[DKDetective]

I'm actually on the opposite camp; I always thought Batman actually suited the leaner, faster shape. He's the one with ninja skills who relies on his human speed for the element of surprise; I've never felt that a bulky, over-muscular look was befitting someone who carries out these type of movements and who seems to sleep little but spends his nights prowling rooftops. When would he get time to work out?

Superman, on the other hand .......... perhaps I'm sentimental after reading so many older Superman comics and following all the media through the years, but I've always pictured Superman as being strong, large, barrell-chested. With their advanced Kryptonian phsyiology, he will already have a naturally muscular build regardless of the fact that his muscle size has little bearing on how strong he actually is, unlike humans.

I actually quite like your conception Elgaz. It fits rather well with my preference for how Neil Adam and John Byrne respectively drew Batman and Superman. I've always thought the barrel chest to be the most important part of Superman's image. It's part of why I hated Routh.

I would love if Cavill in a sequel or some other actor could mimic Arnold' physique from the late 80's. I think it fits your preference for the older comics. What do you think?

 

[elgaz]

I agree with what you're saying and we both have a similar vision of how a live screen Superman should look. But I don't think Cavill has the type of physique to get to that size Arnie was above. Certainly not in the timescale he has had anyway - Arnie spent years building himself up.

Routh's a tall guy and he put on a lot of muscle for SR, but he didn't have that naturally big body shape either - if anything, he's looked like someone who was naturally more skinny but put in a lot of gymn work to get his build to what it was.

I sound like a broken record, I know, but Welling was the only one I've seen so far - more so even than Reeve - who really embodied that big, barrell chested, strong shouldered Superman look; when he looks naturally strong and not like he's ever spent a day in the gymn. His physique is what I would consider closest to the early Byrne look.

But anyhow - Cavill is Superman now, and it seems like Snyder is taking it in a new direction. Will he be as big as those who came before? Probably not, but it's not a dealbreaker. As long as gets the character right (and I've every confidence Cavill is a great actor) and the overall look is irrefutably 'Superman', then I'll look forward to seeing him on screen.

 

[DKDetective]

I agree with what you're saying and we both have a similar vision of how a live screen Superman should look. But I don't think Cavill has the type of physique to get to that size Arnie was above. Certainly not in the timescale he has had anyway - Arnie spent years building himself up.

Routh's a tall guy and he put on a lot of muscle for SR, but he didn't have that naturally big body shape either - if anything, he's looked like someone who was naturally more skinny but put in a lot of gymn work to get his build to what it was.

I sound like a broken record, I know, but Welling was the only one I've seen so far - more so even than Reeve - who really embodied that big, barrell chested, strong shouldered Superman look; when he looks naturally strong and not like he's ever spent a day in the gymn. His physique is what I would consider closest to the early Byrne look.

But anyhow - Cavill is Superman now, and it seems like Snyder is taking it in a new direction. Will he be as big as those who came before? Probably not, but it's not a dealbreaker. As long as gets the character right (and I've every confidence Cavill is a great actor) and the overall look is irrefutably 'Superman', then I'll look forward to seeing him on screen.

Yeah, like I said I was daydreaming about an ideal (Cavill after years in the role or some other actor). Welling is probably the closest we've come to someone with the right genetics and structure to have that classic Superman physique on screen.

I have high hopes for Cavill though. His frame isn't right in order for him to look as big and tall as Welling, but I think he has the right structure to look very Superman, but a little smaller. He has a much better ribcage and proportions than Routh.

 

[Astrodust]

I think people are nitpicking way too much. His shoulders and biceps need to be such and such shape. Cavill is already pretty big. Story, costume, and acting are more important at this point. Cavill's size is the last of my worries now.

 

[Micromind]

Brandon Routh in Dylan Dog was much bigger than he was in Superman Returns, and Cavill is still not bigger than Routh or Welling.

 

[DKDetective]

I think people are nitpicking way too much. His shoulders and biceps need to be such and such shape. Cavill is already pretty big. Story, costume, and acting are more important at this point. Cavill's size is the last of my worries now.

Arguably, his physique is just as important as the costume in pulling off the look of Superman. We at least have some evidence of his body to discuss, hence the focus on it.

In regards to Bruce Begins' post, it doesn't matter how big Routh got. He did not have structure or genetics to look "Superman" big. His pec insertions were too high and his torso too long among other things. Poor design choices with the suit amplified the problem but it began with him.

 

[Astrodust]

Arguably, his physique is just as important as the costume in pulling off the look of Superman. We at least have some evidence of his body to discuss, hence the focus on it.

In regards to Bruce Begins' post, it doesn't matter how big Routh got. He did not have structure or genetics to look "Superman" big. His pec insertions were too high and his torso too long among other things. Poor design choices with the suit amplified the problem but it began with him.

Cavill's looks are very important don't get me wrong. As well as his face, charisma, height, etc. What I am saying is that he plenty big for Superman. The other elements of the film now need to fall into place.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I'd rather have someone like Cavill who can actually act and is in excellent shape (even if he's not a hulking colussus) than a bulked up mannequin like Routh or a beefy bore who gets upstaged by everyone else on the screen like Welling.

 

[DKDetective]

Cavill's looks are very important don't get me wrong. As well as his face, charisma, height, etc. What I am saying is that he plenty big for Superman. The other elements of the film now need to fall into place.

I completely agree in those regards. If you followed the discussions of us reasonable folks the last few pages (after the warring ended), we've mostly just been talking about personal preferences about body type and what Superman should look like. I don't think any of us was ranting that Cavill was too small or that we were horribly upset with the status quo. For all we know, he may continue to grow during the shoot as this is an origin story.

I'm fine with Cavill's size. I would have preferred a little bigger, but from what Michael Corleone said about GYMJones, Cavill should have more permanent and powerful sinewy looking muscles from all the crossfit-style training he's been doing. That sort of real life muscle I think will look more impressive on screen than Hemsworth and Evans' somewhat soft and temporary looking physiques.

As I've been saying, I think Cavill has very good structure for looking classically manly and powerful. Routh may have been bigger, but his genetics were against him.

By the way, does anyone know what Cavill's weight was in The Immortals? We know he says he is 25 lbs heavier now. Structurally differences aside, Arnold was only about 210ish at 6'1"ish (roughly Cavill's height) in the picture from Predator I posted earlier. It would be interesting if they are actually similar in size than people think.

 

[DKDetective]

I'd rather have someone like Cavill who can actually act and is in excellent shape (even if he's not a hulking colussus) than a bulked up mannequin like Routh or a beefy bore who gets upstaged by everyone else on the screen like Welling.

Of course, so would I, but we are a bunch of bored nerds waiting for real news, I think it's ok to dream about being able to have our cake and eat it too.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Heh, can't argue with you there. I really hope we get... something soon. Other than a picture of an IHOP sign of course, lol.

 

[Astrodust]

Cavill looks to be about 225lbs to me. Actually make that 215-220lbs.

 

[DKDetective]

Cavill looks to be about 225lbs to me. Actually make that 215-220lbs.

That seems a little high to me to be honest. I'm thinking more in the 190-200 lb range. Not the best comparator, but this is Arnold (who is 6'1" to 6'2") at 225lb.

 

[Project862006]

looks at least 245 there

 

[DKDetective]

looks at least 245 there

Part of that is his wide frame and small bones, but he is 220-225 lbs as confirmed by contest records. This is a picture of Arnold at 240.

 

[SuperDaniel]

I'm really tired of seeing pics of Arnold in this thread...

 

[DKDetective]

I'm really tired of seeing pics of Arnold in this thread...

Then post something else you would prefer. He is a useful aid at times because he is the same height as Cavill and he arguably has a structure and physique similar to how Superman has traditionally been drawn.

 

[The Sage]

How about Steve Reeves? Not a bodybuilding expert, but I thought he had an ideal frame for Superman.

 

[Slowtime]

Who cares if Routh is in better shape and has a good look? Cavill is Superman now. Not to mention his face is better for the role, and he is a better actor.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

If we're gonna choose Governator physiques his look in T2 was really good for Superman.

 

[Project862006]

henry looks great imo

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

I'd say he's around 182.

 

[Slowtime]

He looks more slight from wearing a large white dress shirt. He's probably around 190-200. He didn't do the popular Routh or Welling thing with the tight t-shirt that makes arms stand out.