Original-Cin Q&A: Henry Cavill on Enola Holmes 2, and His Return to the Cape as Superman
By Bonnie Laufer
British actor Henry Cavill dropped a few bombshells last week that had the internet abuzz. First, he will be returning to the big screen as the Man of Steel and second he is leaving his much loved Netflix series, The Witcher.
For now, you can enjoy Henry Cavill in Enola Holmes 2 where he returns to the role of Sherlock Holmes, big brother to the title character Enola (Stranger Things’ Millie Bobby Brown).
Our Bonnie Laufer caught up with Cavill to talk about the sequel and his much anticipated return to Superman. (D.C. telegraphed his return with a surprise appearance in a mid-credits scene opposite Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam).
Henry Cavill, Millie Bobby Brown and Louis Partridge in Enola Holmes 2
Enola Holmes 2 starts streaming on Netflix, Friday, November 4.
CLICK HERE to watch Bonnie’s interview with director Harry Bradbeer.
ORIGINAL-CIN - The Enola Holmes films are just plain fun. It must be a joy for you to not be so serious for a change and be a part of this franchise.
HENRY CAVILL: The thing about this is that, especially the second time around, we are back with the same team. We missed Sam Claifin (who played Holmes’ brother Mycroft in the original) desperately, but it's ultimately the exact same people back together and we just got to have a good time.
There's so much joy in this movie, although it has a very serious and important message. The story draws you in and you get to have an exciting ride along the way while learning about this really important messaging. It’s especially important for young women around the world to see that sort of thing.
O-C: Who doesn’t love Mille Bobbie Brown? It doesn't matter what she does, from Stranger Things to this she is just lovable. Why does it work so well with the two of you and how has she stepped it up in the sequel?
CAVILL: She's amazing and she gets better and better every time I see her. She’s this enormous bombastic energy and a fantastic charismatic performer, but she has a very keen mind as well.
She is also an extraordinary producer, I have to keep reminding myself that she is only 18 years old! Her career is going to go far and I just feel lucky to have been a part of it at this stage.
O-C: You have four brothers. Does she make a great little sister? That must have been a nice change of pace.
CAVILL: I do not have a real life sister. She is exactly like I imagine a little sister to be!
O-C: Henry, of course, everyone's talking about your big news about putting those tights and the cape back on again! I first met you in 2013 when you were introduced as the new Superman. Fans are thrilled that you are back, but I wanted to know why this character is so special to you?
CAVILL: Why is this character so special to me? It's tough to distill that down into one answer. It's been so many years of me living so soul adjacent to (Superman). Whether it be through the movies which I've been in or the comics which I've read, or the plans and dreams I've had in my head, he’s always been a part of me.
There's something about the beauty of him being the best of what we can be, regardless of how he's treated or regardless of what he goes through. I think that's an incredible story about the human spirit and it just provides us with such a wonderful example of how our hardships are relative, that regardless of how big or how small it's relative, and he can teach us about surpassing those hardships. Instead of it being focused on our sins, focus on everyone else.
That can be a wonderful thing about helping others even though you may be feeling a certain way. At the end of the day, there’s such a beautiful soul to the character and it's something which I think the world needs.
I just hope to do justice to that character when the time comes.