The new shoot shows him in a relaxed pose, sporting a longer hairstyle for Netflix's
and a preview of Henry's interview and BTS video of his shoot have been released. Do not miss! --
Rough translation: "The military was my Plan B" - Henry Cavill was "Superman", Tom Cruise's opponent in "Mission: Impossible 6 - Fallout" and Agent Solo in "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." - and thus a worthy "GQ Man of the Year 2018". In the exclusive interview he talks about his difficult start in the film business, his time as a mustache bearer - and how a rejection became the most important moment of his career. You can find the entire interview and all the pictures in the latest GQ, which will be available from 10th January.
Do you sometimes see social networks as time-wasting?
As long as you try to use the Internet constructively, I do not really think that you waste your time there. However, I can not deny that every now and then, of course, I get caught up in this maelstrom of morbid curiosity that sometimes being online can take you.
Your dog Kal is also quite present in your Instagram feed. Have you always been a dog person?
I think so. Which is surely because I grew up with dogs. But Kal is special, we've been through so much. He is one of the few constants in my life, so he keeps coming up in my Instagram feed.
Do you take him with you when you work?
Kal comes everywhere. Except when I am only traveling for a few days or traveling to a country where he would have to go into quarantine. We are rarely separated. When I hear a knock on the door and not immediately afterwards a bark, then something is missing.
Apart from the dog, is there anything that you always have with you?
I have a watch from Jaeger-LeCoutre that suits every occasion. Except in the gym or in front of a camera I hardly ever lay it down.
Why the weakness for a classic wristwatch?
It's weird, actually I'm a huge fan of high tech gadgets. I love my computer and all the fantastic technologies that exist today. However, I must confess that, despite my fascination, I have no idea of the science behind this technology. How information becomes one and zeros and moves between different mediums. Therefore, a mechanical wristwatch is something wonderful. It has so much incredible craftsmanship put into such a small pieces. If I took the clock apart, then I could see all the mechanical teeth and screws and eventually understand how it all works. A mechanical device has something reassuring for me.
Can you understand if someone is content to use his phone as a watch?
I personally like the feeling of wearing a watch. Apart from that, that's pretty much the case with the smartphone. Once you've pulled it out of your pocket to check the time, you'll answer a few messages - and before you know it's been 45 minutes, and you're still on Instagram.
Probably a wristwatch looks just more casual than a bulky smartphone in the tight trouser pocket...
I'm really happy that the phone displays have become bigger and bigger. So I can even read books and scripts on my smartphone when I'm on the go.
Your career started 18 years ago. Back then, you worked part-time in England in bars and nightclubs to afford the flights to castings in Los Angeles. Are those times still on your mind?
That feels very distant. But it's not like I will ever forget those years. I appreciate where I am today and I am still working hard. Just the way of working hard has changed a bit.
Back in the days, were you sure of your eventual breakthrough? Or were there ever times of doubt?
Then, I was motivated by a mixture of belief in myself and reality. I had forbidden myself to think too much of failure. At the same time, I always asked myself if I was really happy with acting. As a young actor, it is not easy: you need a name to get the big roles, but to get a name you need the big roles...
There were a lot of moments when I thought of giving up acting and going into military. That was my plan B.
After the rejection of “Casino Royale“, new possibilities opened up. Why military out of all?
A lot of family members and friends are in the army. So, I always had a connection to that. I think, I would have enjoyed that.
It didn't go that way after all. Which was the turning point that convinced you of sticking to acting?
Interestingly, it was a job I didn't get, which was James Bond in “Casino Royale“. During the casting, I made it to the screen test and to the recall - until the top two, according to rumors. The industry magazine “Variety“ picked up the story and suddenly I received a completely different kind of attention. Suddenly, my name had a certain weight and new opportunities opened. That's how I got the role in “The Tudors“. That was the start of a new phase in my career.
With your success, your financial situation changed as well. Do you remember your first big purchase you splashed out on then?
That took some time after all. In the beginning, I invested all my money on staying as long as possible in Los Angeles. It took its time for me being able to treat myself because with a career, you suddenly have new costs.
And what did you indulge in?
I wanted to buy a really nice car, I thought of an Audi R8. So with my father I went through the car dealers on my home island of Jersey. However, he saw a much more expensive Aston Martin DBS. But he thought I could afford it - and he had to know it, after all, he took care of my finances. So we did a test drive and the rest is history!
What kind of holiday do you like? Action and adventure or prefer to lie on the beach and do nothing?
I love to relax after a busy job. But a bit of adventure sounds good too! A perfect holiday has a bit of both.
What do you enjoy most spending money on nowadays?
For my loved ones. I am in the lucky situation of being able to make nice presents or to help them out from time to time. Sometimes I invite my friends to a holiday and we enjoy two weeks together somewhere warm.
Which is your favourite place you have ever travelled to?
That's hard to say... Rome is a beautiful city. And Pulpit Rock in Norway where we shot MI:Fallout, was breathtaking. But the Himalayas were for sure the most impressive. I was there as a teenager. In the Annapurna Sanctuary, we trekked up to the base camp. One of the most beautiful memories of my youth.
How did you get to travel to the Himalayas as a teen?
That was a school trip during the Easter holidays. My parents worked hard to make it possible for me to participate. I will be forever grateful for that. Of course, for everything else as well. When I have kids, I want to make such a trip possible for them as well.
It sounds like your preference for physical activity is something that has not only developed in your adult years.
Indeed, I was incredibly active in my youth. Despite me not being an athlete. But my love for physical activity has helped me a lot in my career.
“Immortals“ (2011) was the first film for which I had to really get in shape. Then, I learnt a lot about fitness and muscle building and never stopped training ever since.
Is that always fun?
No! But it's a really satisfying feeling upon finishing a hard training session. Especially when you didn't want to get up in the first place. And after an exhausting day on set, training is also great!
Do you also take a day off from training? Or do you feel guilty?
I love my rest days! I don't feel guilty then, only when I feel really lazy.
One more question about your adoptive home Florida. Most actors live in Los Angeles, New York or London. Why did you just go to Fort Lauderdale in the sunshine state?
In Florida, it is always wonderfully warm, no matter what the season. Strangely enough, I spend most of my acting jobs in colder climates, but I'm always dressed like in summer. So it's great that I can come to Florida between shoots and warm up my bones.
How is your dog, an akita with a dense, long coat, not sweating the soul out of its body in Florida?
There is air conditioning everywhere. If it gets too hot, Kal simply goes into the house. I think he feels more comfortable in Florida than in London. There one looks for air conditioners in vain. He really got into a sweat there.
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UPDATE (2/19): We've added a better quality outtake of this top pic (
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