Fans from all around the world share a profound attachment to superheroes. Whether it was Wonder Woman or The Dark Knight, the obsession went beyond watching a movie; it was about the intense connection they had with the stimulating narratives and the captivating worlds they inhabited. One such larger-than-life movie was Superman, which kept fans on the edge of their seats with its impressive casting of Henry Cavill and Zack Snyder’s brilliant direction. But was casting Cavill the ultimate plan?

The Witcher actor entered the DC universe and took over the role of Clark Kent in his debut, Man of Steel. This made him the first non-American actor to play the role. But if not Cavill, Snyder had another actor in mind for the role of Superman.

Zack Snyder’s plan B for the Superman series without Henry Cavill

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2011, Snyder revealed that if it were not for Cavill, his second choice would have been Joe Manganiello. Snyder further added, “Joe’s a great guy. I really liked him.” When asked why he did not choose Manganiello for the role, he explained that it ultimately boiled down to a gut decision and the qualities that were better suited for the character, qualities that Henry Cavill possessed. However, this was not the first movie in which Snyder considered casting Cavill.

The celebrated filmmaker initially considered casting Cavill in his American historical action film 300 in the year 2006. However, the actor passed on the opportunity because he was pursuing the role of James Bond in the movie Casino Royale. Ultimately, the role of James Bond went to Daniel Craig.

The Witcher actor has officially hung up his cape, but for the Superman fandom, he was the best Superman. With David Corenswet taking over the legacy, fans cannot help but draw a comparison.

Best portrayal of Superman in the MCU universe

While Corenswet has all the necessary qualities that indicate he will be a great Superman, for some, Cavill will always be the quintessential Superman. From Cavill’s rock-solid body to his classical good looks, he looked straight out of the comic books. Additionally, the stunning cinematography by the genius Snyder portrayed him in the most visually spectacular way. Not to forget, Cavill’s amazing acting skills did complete justice to the role. However, this role was not simply handed to him. 

He had to undergo several screen tests before the final shots were confirmed. Being an avid gamer himself and nearly missing Snyder’s call because he was too busy gaming, he truly poured all his energy into portraying the iconic role of Clark Kent. So, for the fans, he will always be their best Superman.

Do you think Joe Manganiello would have been a better choice for Superman? Comment down below.