Fans will obviously be familiar with Cavill’s proclivity for action, even outside of his role in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” After all, this is a guy who has played Superman and Geralt of Rivia, not to mention starring in the criminally underrated (but now tarnished, thanks to the involvement of a controversial costar) Guy Ritchie film “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”
Obviously, Cavill is an actor who was game for anything Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie threw at him — even at the potential expense of his personal health, including suffering from tinnitus while filming alongside the “Top Gun: Maverick” star. As McQuarrie told The Hollywood Reporter:
“It was an extreme form of physical punishment. We would get back to base camp and his face was literally frozen and he couldn’t make facial expressions. I don’t know another actor who would do that — not only do it, but do it with full commitment and never complain.”
And it was this kind of dedication that helped elevate the film. In movies, the hero is only as memorable as his villain. Just look at Hans Gruber, for example. And Cavill’s traitorous villain in “Fallout” was great not just because of the actor’s imposing physical presence, but also his charm. As McQuarrie put it, despite being an evil character, Cavill’s August Walker “never lost that leading man appeal.”
It really says something that you can take a guy who has played the ultimate Boy Scout and turn him into a villain, but he’s still a mesmerizing and charismatic presence. It’s enough to make you wish he hadn’t suddenly lost both of his most famous roles within the span of a couple of weeks. To quote Geralt… well, you know. Eff.