In 2013, Henry Cavill stepped into the role of Superman in Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder. Yet, it was not until his audition that Cavill truly transformed into the Man of Steel—thanks in large part to an iconic piece of cinematic history: the Superman suit worn by Christopher Reeve in the 1978 Superman film.

Snyder recently shared a nostalgic moment from Cavill’s audition on social media, posting a simple but powerful image of Cavill in the same suit Reeve made famous. Snyder’s caption captured the magic of that moment: “First test with Henry… I knew right away he was my Superman.” This photo, though brief, encapsulated the profound connection between the past and present Superman legacies.

A Legendary Suit for an Audition
When Cavill auditioned for the role of Superman, the filmmakers had not yet designed a new suit for him. Instead, they turned to a piece of Superman history—the same suit worn by Christopher Reeve in his legendary portrayal of the character. Snyder recalled the experience, stating, “We didn’t have the suit made when Henry was auditioning, so he wore the original Christopher Reeve suit.” As Cavill stepped into the suit and emerged from the trailer, Snyder and the entire team knew they had found their Superman. “He put it on, and when he came out of the trailer, everyone was like, ‘Dang, you’re Superman!’” Snyder said.

For Cavill, this moment was both surreal and empowering. In a 2011 interview with Total Film, Cavill reflected on his experience of wearing Reeve’s suit for the first time. “It’s extremely cool. There’s no other feeling like it,” he said. “They just put it on, I turned around and looked in the mirror and you can’t really play it cool — you sort of guffaw and laugh. I thought, ‘OK, holy hell, this is real, it’s not a joke anymore. This is it … you’re doing it, you’re right in the middle of it.’”

That moment, donning Christopher Reeve’s iconic suit, marked the beginning of Cavill’s transformation into Superman. But it also symbolized a bridge between generations of Superman fans, linking the cinematic legacy of Reeve’s Superman with a new era of storytelling.

A New Superman, But a Familiar Suit
The connection to Reeve’s Superman was a significant moment in the casting process, but it also highlighted how a simple piece of wardrobe can solidify an actor’s connection to a character. Cavill’s audition in the Reeve-era suit not only confirmed his potential as Superman but also underscored the reverence with which Snyder approached the legacy of the character. It was a passing of the torch—a symbolic gesture that linked the history of Superman with the future of the franchise.

In 2025, David Corenswet will take up the mantle of Superman in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy, marking the next chapter in the superhero’s cinematic evolution. Fans are already speculating about how Corenswet will approach the character and how the new suit will reflect the modern interpretation of Superman. However, it’s worth noting that Corenswet wasn’t the only actor in contention for the role. Nicholas Hoult and Tom Brittney were also finalists for the part.

Interestingly, Brittney, who had auditioned for the role of Superman, revealed a wild story during his appearance on the Hellish Podcast. According to Brittney, he had tried on the very same suit Cavill wore during his Man of Steel audition—and, in the process, accidentally ripped it. “It was actually Henry Cavill’s Superman suit – it was his actual suit,” Brittney recalled. “It takes about half an hour to get into it – to get sewn into it. And yeah, I think I might have accidentally ripped it. I was more muscular than Henry Cavill, that’s the only reason.”

Director James Gunn later chimed in on social media, confirming Brittney’s account. He wrote, “Tom messed it up and then Corenswet came in [and] he was way too tall so it just got torn to shreds.” However, Gunn didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward Brittney, calling him “truly one of my favorite actors. Incredibly talented guy.” Gunn also clarified that the suit used for auditions wasn’t in the best shape to begin with, explaining that costumes for blockbusters are often in multiple versions during production, ensuring there’s always a spare for the auditioning actors.

The Legacy of Superman
Henry Cavill’s journey as Superman is an unforgettable one. From auditioning in Reeve’s suit to ultimately becoming the face of a new generation of Superman fans, Cavill’s portrayal has left an indelible mark on the character’s cinematic history. As we look ahead to the new Superman: Legacy, we can’t help but reflect on the legacy of the suit and the actors who have donned it—each bringing their own unique interpretation to the iconic role. But no matter who wears the suit, the essence of Superman will always remain the same: a symbol of hope, justice, and the unyielding belief that anyone can be a hero.

As new actors take on the mantle, it’s the spirit of Superman that endures—one that has inspired generations of fans and will continue to do so, whether in Reeve’s classic suit, Cavill’s modern interpretation, or the next chapter in Superman’s saga.