Henry Cavill Once Worked Next To Jesus?!

Henry Cavill worked with Jesus. 

Well, kind of. While Henry Cavill is known for his roles as Superman in Zack Snyder’s extended DCEU, the actor who portrayed a Christ like figure, actually worked with an actor who had the most famous portrayal of Christ of all time. And it all started in the early 2000s…

The Starting Passion

So just who was the actor Cavill worked with? Well, it’s none other than Jim Caviezel. The Passion of The Christ, which is directed by renowned actor Mel Gibson, is a powerful depiction of the last 12 hours before Jesus’ crucifixion and ultimate death. And Jim Caviezel is arguably the actor to have portrayed the most famous depiction of Jesus in film. The Passion of The Christ became the fifth highest grossing film the year it was released, 2004, and was the highest grossing independent film of all time! With a $370.8 million box office record, eventually a $600 million, it was the highest grossing R rated film in the US for 20 years! 

Aside from the statistics, the movie also received three Oscar nominations. The movie is primarily spoken in Aramaic, as well Latin and Hebrew, putting a unique and historically accurate twist on the Biblical epic. Most Jesus portrayals are in the English language, but Mel Gibson stuck to Biblical accuracy. Jim Caviezel was actually warned by Gibson himself that if he portrayed a religious figure in Hollywood, he “may not work in this town again”. But nonetheless, Caviezel took on the part anyway and embraced the role. 

(IMDB)

This portrayal was far more gruelling as the film started with Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, which was mere hours before he was put in front of Pontius Pilate, then put on trial, and finally, from public opinion of blasphemy, crucified. It was a physical toll for Caviezel, in fact he got struck by lightning twice while filming. Once during the Sermon on the Mount, and once during the crucifixion scene, and survived. He even said he was “lit up like a Christmas tree!” from the strikes. So it’s clear that while this film must have taken a toll emotionally on Caviezel… it took an even bigger one physically. Despite this… Caviezel will be reprising his role as Jesus for the Passion of the Christ sequel, which will start shooting this summer in Rome! 

So how is Henry Cavill connected to the actor? 

The Count of Christ 

Henry Cavill’s breakout role is considered to be Superman. However, his first bigger role as a mere nineteen year old was in the film The Count of Monte Cristo. This is where Jim Caviezel comes into play. Cavill played Albert Mondego, also known as Albert de Morcef, who was the teenage son of Fernand Mondego and Mercedes. He ends up unbeknownst befriending Edmond Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo, played by Caviezel himself. The Count in the film is seeking revenge on Fernand, Albert’s father. However, Albert soon learns the Count has an agenda against his father and challenges him to a duel. And in a riveting twist in the 2002 film (spoiler warning)… Fernand reveals that Albert isn’t Fernandes’ son… but Edmond’s. 

The Count of Monte Cristo (IMDB)

Cavill arguably played the closest character to Caviezel’s in the film… as his character’s son. The Count of Monte Cristo was released in 2002 while The Passion of The Christ was released in 2004, making it a mer 2 year difference between releases. Cavill getting to work with an actor like Cavieziel, who would play a pivotal religious role, is something many overlook. Especially for Cavill’s age at the time. And it’s pretty ironic that Zack Snyder’s DCEU films were based off of Biblical lore, and Man of Steel was the first installment to portray Cavill as a more Christ like Superman. Snyder even advertised to Christians, offering screenings of the film to pastors, as well as Sermon notes. The connection of Cavill and Caviezel is somewhat unknown and not looked at enough, yet extraordinary once dissected.