Date: 1st February 2011

British Actor To Be The New Man Of Steel


A relatively unknown British actor is to play one of America's best-loved superheroes.

Henry Cavill has been named by Warner Bros as the new Superman for the next instalment in the Hollywood franchise.

Best known for his role as Charles Brandon in the BBC historical drama The Tudors, he takes over the role from US actor Brandon Routh.

Zack Snyder will direct the new film entitled Superman: The Man of Steel which is due for release in December 2012.

The Dawn of the Dead and 300 director said he was "honoured" to be part of Superman's return to the big screen and "excited" to have Cavill as Clark Kent's alter ego.

He described the Brit as the "perfect choice to don the cape and 'S' shield".

Cavill has had roles in I Capture The Castle and The Count of Monte Cristo but was once dubbed the "most unlucky man in Hollywood" by Empire magazine after losing out on several major roles.

He was close to landing the lead role in the initial 2006 reboot of the comic book hero, Superman Returns, but lost out to Routh.

The role of James Bond was also within his grasp after he attended one of the final screen tests for Casino Royale but Daniel Craig ended up getting the nod instead.

Cavill is among a trio of British actors who are taking on American superheroes in blockbuster movies.

The Social Network star Andrew Garfield is the new Spiderman while Welsh actor and Golden Globe winner Christian Bale is the current Batman.

Source: Press Release