While sitting happily chatting on The Graham Norton Show’s familiar red sofa, actor Henry Cavill shared a hilarious and now-famous story about the moment he nearly missed out on the role of Superman. With host Graham Norton leading the way and the studio audience roaring with laughter, Henry recounted the fateful missed call from director Zack Snyder back in 2011, when he was being cast for the lead in Man of Steel. At the time, Cavill was entirely engrossed in a World of Warcraft raid, an online multiplayer battle that cannot be paused.
Henry Cavill’s Hilarious Meeting with Zack Snyder
The actor, a self-proclaimed “nerd” and avid PC gamer, explained that his priorities were clearly focused on the virtual match. “I was playing this game, and you can’t save it. You can’t pause or anything, and other people are relying on you to play certain roles on a team,” he explained. When his phone rang, showing a call number from the US, he recognized it might be important, but decided to ignore it. He was busy “saving the world” in the game, and he wouldn’t abandon his team. After finishing the critical part of the dungeon, he looked down, saw Zack Snyder’s name, and immediately scrambled to call back.
When he finally apologized for missing the first call, the director delivered the news with a subtle, witty hint. Snyder asked: “Then Henry, I was just wondering if you could fly?”—the perfect way to imply that he had been chosen for the iconic role of the Man of Steel. The story made the entire room erupt in laughter, highlighting Henry’s passion for gaming to the point of “forgetting his career,” an anecdote that emphasizes his passionate hobby amidst his perfect, on-screen superhero image.
The Gaming Hero: How WoW Humanized Superman
This amusing incident, which Cavill has recounted across various talk shows, has become one of his most popular stories. It not only showcased his dedication to his gaming community—the very essence of “nerd” culture he openly embraces—but also humanized the otherwise flawless, chiseled superhero. The story makes Cavill instantly relatable to fans, especially the gaming community, eliminating the barrier between the movie star and the enthusiast. The clip, frequently shared online, with hashtags like #HenryCavill and humorous text overlays like “Gaming > Zack Snyder,” celebrates his luck in still being called back and accepting the career-changing role, reinforcing his status as a genuine “geek-god” in Hollywood.
@thegnshow gaming > zack snyder 👀 #henrycavill #grahamnorton #thegrahamnortonshow #argylle #worldofwarcraft #gaming #zacksnyder #superman #hilarious
♬ som original – The Graham Norton Show – The Graham Norton Show