OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
Henry Cavill is known for playing superheroes on the big screen, but his most recent role as the cigar-smoking “Cavillrine” in Deadpool & Wolverine had him going through a whole new kind of superhero test: enduring hours of cigar smoke while maintaining a muscular physique and serious attitude.
In his cameo, Cavill plays a variant of Hugh Jackman’s iconic character Wolverine, dubbed “Cavillrine.” While the fun, self-aware moment brought laughter to fans, it almost came at a high price for the actor. Director Shawn Levy shared with the New York Times that Cavill’s commitment to the role left him feeling “sick to his stomach” the day after filming.
Levy described how Cavill went above and beyond for his cameo, keeping a lit cigar in his mouth for the entirety of the eight-hour shoot. “I remember hearing the next day that Henry was sick to his stomach because he had been inhaling cigar smoke for eight hours straight,” Levy explained. “But never once did he waver.”
Cavill’s dedication to the role was truly put to the test during the shoot. While it was a small part, the actor’s commitment to his character was clear, even when the physical toll became apparent. And while the cigar was an essential part of the “Cavillrine” persona, the long hours spent with it certainly weren’t easy on the actor’s stomach.
But there’s more to this cameo than just the discomfort. Cavill’s appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine also serves as a playful commentary on his recent exit from the DC Universe as Superman. Levy explained that part of the reason Cavill was cast in this role was due to his high-profile departure from the DC films. “Given that Deadpool is in constant conversation with culture, it felt like a great opportunity to first of all cast Henry Cavill in a part that he would kick ass at, but also to poke fun at that other comic-book-founded movie studio and play with some self-awareness there,” Levy said.
Cavill has been outspoken about his transition away from the Superman role, and this cameo served as a lighthearted way to address that change. In fact, the character of “Cavillrine” felt like a perfect fit, allowing Cavill to bring a new energy to a familiar comic-book world.
In his Instagram post, Cavill himself joked about the experience, referencing his character’s infamous cigar. “To be safe, I shaved the moustache off for this one. Just the moustache,” Cavill wrote alongside a photo of himself as “Cavillrine,” holding the cigar.
Levy also shared behind-the-scenes moments from filming. “We were like, ‘We gotta do this. We want to see Cavill as the Cavillrine,’” Levy said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. “He was so committed—jacked up and had that disgusting cigar in his mouth for hours. He was fully in it.”
Despite the discomfort, Cavill’s performance as “Cavillrine” was a hit, and Levy couldn’t praise the actor enough. “He was a trooper, and he was fabulous,” Levy said, adding that Cavill really brought the character to life, making it a memorable moment for fans.
So, while Cavill’s cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine may have left him physically exhausted, it also gave fans a hilarious and unforgettable moment. It’s proof that even superheroes like Cavill aren’t immune to the occasional rough day at work—but that doesn’t stop him from going above and beyond for the fans.
