Summary
- Reeve and Cavill chose natural methods, such as diet and gym workouts, rather than steroids, to authentically embody Superman's physique.
- Both actors avoided shortcuts to building muscle, aligning themselves with Superman's values of hard work and dedication.
- Reeve's determination to prepare for the role of Superman paid off, leading to his iconic portrayal, admired by fans to this day.
Taking on a DC superhero role like Superman comes with many responsibilities, especially a physical commitment to looking the part – making the actors' efforts in the role all the more notable. Since its debut in Action Comics #1, Superman has proven that he is capable of feats of super strength. To convincingly bring this level of durability on screen, actors playing Superman often need to reflect a similar physique – although, ironically, Superman is often shown not needing to exercise because of the solar radiation that fuels his enhanced abilities.
Although building abs wasn't the norm in the 1970s and rubber suits weren't common, Christopher Reeve still toned his body well enough to play the hero in Richard Donner's film. Superman. David Corenswet, the latest actor to wear the red cape in James Gunn's next film Superman reboot, has also been hitting the gym to become the Man of Steel. Corenswet's direct predecessor in the DCEU timeline, Henry Cavill, also added a physical sturdiness that made him appear stronger and more commanding than any other Superman actor. . But there's one aspect of the workout that connects the DCEU actor to a Superman legend.
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Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill avoided using steroids for Superman
A Kryptonian Physique Comes from an All-Natural Diet and Exercise
Christopher Reeve's Superman evoked a chivalrous humility, while Henry Cavill's Superman captured a more reckless and aggressive side of the character. And yet, what connects Reeve and Cavill is that they both avoided any pharmaceutical enhancements while getting into shape as Superman, and were upfront about their decision to avoid that path and why they especially avoided it when taking on the role of Superman.
When Reeve got the role, he described himself as a “string beans” that needed to turn up the volume. Refusing to wear enhanced costumes, Reeve began lifting weights and eating a high-protein diet four times a day. As an interview preserved by Cinema Flashback reveals, Reeve also took vitamin pills but refused to use steroids to achieve his physique.
Reeve also added that the stronger he got, the more he helped him get closer to Superman's mental attitude. Henry Cavill had a similar vision when he was cast to play Superman in Zack Snyder's DCEU films. USA today revealed that When Cavill got the role, he didn't use steroids or HGH (Human Growth Hormone) because he felt that would better reflect the character. he was playing. To quote the Steel man actor, “Taking a shortcut to get to that place is not what Superman is all about.”. An old-fashioned gym workout was Cavill's go-to method for gaining muscle.
Christopher Reeve was worried about his build for the Superman movie test
A heavy sweater helped the actor play the man of steel
With hundreds of actors auditioning for the 1978 film Superman film, Christopher Reeve was worried about being considered too thin to play the role. That's when”a big, bulky blue sweatshirtr” came to his rescue. Reeve had a lean physique at the time, which he attributed to his long hours playing tennis. But the actor was concerned about his physique and wore the heaviest Shetland sweater he found in his attic to his audition to appear chunkier. He eventually got the role, although there were still concerns that he would be thinner than his comic book counterpart.
More than 200 unknown actors auditioned to play Superman, and although casting director Lynn Stalmaster initially liked Christopher Reeve, director Richard Donner thought he was too thin. Reeve was later reconsidered.
The easiest solution would have been to wear a padded suit, but the actor opted for the more strenuous route of replicating Superman's build, explaining that it would also help him get into the character's psyche. Reeve's determination paid off, with many comic book fans still considering Reeve to be the best Superman film. While many of the older superhero costumes are often mocked, Reeve's simple retro blue and red costume still blended well with his all-natural body, a legacy that Henry Cavill also carried forward as the Superman of the DCEU.
Steel man
This new version of Superman's origin story, Man of Steel, focuses on young journalist Clark Kent/Kal-El, a being who came to Earth from Krypton as a child. Although he has difficulty adapting to his secret superpowers and questions his purpose in life, Clark is forced to act when fellow Kryptonian general Zod arrives on Earth hell-bent on conquering it. Clark is built by the values imposed on him by his parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, who adopted him as an orphan from another world, inadvertently raising him to become the hero humanity needs.
- Release date of
- June 14, 2013
