Playing Superman was tough: Henry Cavill

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Henry Cavill in a still from the movie Man of Steel
New Delhi: Henry Cavill, who plays Superman in the reboot of the film series Man ofSteel, initially found it a bit unnerving to step into theshoes of legendary actors Christopher Reeve and Kirk Alyn.

Cavill, 30, said he knew that he will be compared withthe previous actors in the superhero series, which iscelebrating the 75th birth anniversary of DC comics' Superman."There is a pressure that I will be compared.

Christopher Reeve was Superman as far as live action goes. Ihave done my job now and I can't change people's minds. But Ijust hope we tell a great version of the story.

"I never imagined that as a boy and before starting myacting career 17 years ago that one day I will play thepopular character of Superman. I watched it as a kid but Ididn't watch them as a part of my research," Cavill told PTIin an email interview.

Directed by Zack Synder and produced by Warner Brosand Legendary Pictures, Man of Steel releases tomorrow.The British actor said that he had to undergo agruelling physical training for seven months to get in shapefor his role as Clark Kent and his superhero alter-ego.

"The biggest challenge was the probably physical sideof it. Transforming my body to sort of look like that. It tookabout 5 months to get to a certain state and another two toget to the shirtless state. It was a lot of hard work," headded.

Though the superhero characters are unrealistic, theTudors star insists that the director made the storyline sorealistic that everyone could relate to the role.

"The suit did not make me more relatable. It was thestoryline. The suit itself was a Kryptonian thing and an alienthing and so less relatable than the previous suit which was astrong man thing. The suit wasn't the vehicle for that. Therewas more storyline," he said.

Having started his career with Kevin Reynolds' 2002adaptation The Count of Monte Cristo, Cavill got maximumrecognition when he starred in hit TV series The Tudors. Thesuccess landed him offers from hit franchises including HarryPotter, Twilight and James Bond but he could be a part ofthem.

"Since, I was about 13-14. I was enjoying acting a lotand could enjoy having a career out of it. But, otherwise Iwould have become an astronaut, soldier and others that boyswant to become," he said.

Cavill is not worried that he will become a sex symbolpost the release of Man of Steel."After the film, I will never accept that I am a sexsymbol. I will remove the tag because that will make mesomeone who is a bit fond of themselves. If it happens, Ithink it is going to be very odd certainly. I think I am justHenry and I'm telling a story," he said.

It was also reported that the actor is in talks toplay Christian Grey in movie adaptation of Fifty shades ofGrey but the actor denied the rumours.

"As there's no script, I've had no meetings. As far asI know, there's no director either. So, I just don't know," hesaid.
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