For Henry Cavill, there’s no such thing as backing down — even if it means enduring eight hours of cigar smoke. The 41-year-old actor, known for his dedication to his roles, took things to the extreme during a cameo appearance in Marvel’s highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. Cavill plays an alternate version of Hugh Jackman’s iconic Wolverine, but his day on set didn’t come without consequences.
Director Shawn Levy, in an interview with The New York Times on August 5, revealed that Cavill became physically ill after keeping a cigar lit in his mouth for an entire eight-hour shoot. The scene required Cavill to embrace Wolverine’s signature tough-guy image, and he didn’t shy away from the role’s demands, even when the cigar smoke began to take a toll.
Levy recounted Cavill’s dedication: “I remember hearing the next day that Henry was sick to his stomach because he had been inhaling cigar smoke for eight hours straight, but never once did he waver.” Despite his discomfort, Cavill remained committed to his portrayal, staying in character throughout the day.
Cavill’s unwavering performance earned him praise from Levy, who described the actor as “a trooper” and “fabulous” on set during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.
The cameo comes in the wake of Cavill’s exit from his role as Superman in DC Studios, a decision that left many fans disappointed. Levy touched on the timing of Cavill’s casting, explaining that the opportunity arose shortly after Cavill was replaced as the Man of Steel by David Corenswet, who will star in 2025’s Superman: Legacy.
“With Deadpool’s constant conversation with culture, it felt like a great opportunity to cast Henry Cavill in a part that he would kick ass at,” Levy said. The role also served as a playful nod to Cavill’s past in comic-book films, adding a layer of self-awareness that fans have come to expect from the Deadpool franchise.
Cavill himself took a lighthearted approach to his cameo, sharing a j
oke on Instagram about his much-discussed facial hair. In 2017, Warner Bros. infamously had to use CGI to remove Cavill’s mustache for scenes in Justice League, a decision that drew plenty of fan attention.
“To be safe, I shaved the mustache off for this one. Just the mustache,” Cavill wrote in a post featuring an image of his Wolverine-inspired character, humorously dubbed “Cavillerine.”
Cavill is just one of the star-studded cameos in Deadpool & Wolverine, joining the likes of Blake Lively, Chris Evans, Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, and Channing Tatum. With so many big names attached, the film is set to be a wild ride packed with surprises — and a touch of nostalgia for superhero fans.
Cavill’s cameo may have come at a price, but his dedication and humor have cemented his place in one of Marvel’s most buzzed-about releases. Fans can look forward to seeing his performance when Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters.
