While Henry Cavill has long been recognised as this generation’s defining Superman, rumours have swirled for years about him playing the Marvel character Captain Britain. Here, we take a look at how fan campaigns – and an impressive, but fake, trailer – helped generate more buzz about Cavill’s potential next role.

Why is the internet claiming Henry Cavill was cast as Captain Britain?

In February 2025, a trailer began circulating online that got Marvel fans buzzing. The trailer featured Henry Cavill as Captain Britain (a British superhero made famous by Marvel UK in the 1970s, and created to be London’s answer to Steve Rogers). The two-minute trailer, which you can watch here, is pretty impressive at first glance. It details in detail “Captain Britain’s” backstory while hinting at a collaboration between Britain and Doctor Strange.

Sounds good, right? The only issue: it’s a complete fake.

Well, maybe ‘fake’ isn’t the appropriate word. According to KH Studios, which created the video, it is a “concept trailer created solely for artistic and entertainment purposes.” The person behind KH Studios further explained: “I have meticulously incorporated various effects, sound design, AI technologies, movie analytics, and other elements to bring my vision to life.” The trailer duped many fans, however, and set off a flurry of social media activity, followed by a flurry of articles debunking the video.

Is Henry Cavill Playing Captain Britain?

Despite its bogus nature, the trailer has again generated interest in the idea of Henry Cavill playing the role of Brian Baddock (Captain Britain’s real name). Fans have been discussing the Jersey actor for the role for years, and with his strong jawline and muscular build, it’s easy to imagine him stepping into it.

What has Marvel said about the idea of Henry Cavill playing Captain Britain?

Marvel has been keeping schtum on the idea that Captain Britain might get his own feature film in the near future. In the time since the release of the fake trailer, Marvel has given no official updates suggesting that a Captain Britain movie is in development. Indeed, it’s unlikely that Marvel will be thinking about a Captain Britain in the coming months.  The superhero company has a jam-packed schedule for the next three years, with the likes of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day at the helm of Phase Six of the MCU.  

Another challenge for a potential Captain Britain movie is that Henry Cavill is already a top contender to replace Daniel Craig as the next 007. Cavill’s name has been floated for years, but in recent months, the odds have gotten stronger that he will be the next James Bond.

What comments has Henry Cavill made regarding his role as Captain Britain?

Cavill has always been quite a worldly actor – someone who has an understanding of online fandom and the culture surrounding his own fame. With this in mind, Cavill has acknowledged the fact that many of his fans have been campaigning (and then some) to see him take on the role of Captain Britain. He has even addressed the rumours, telling The Hollywood Reporter back in 2021 that, in his view, it would be “fun” to do a modern version of the hero.

Is Henry Cavill Playing Captain Britain?

He said: “I have the internet and I have seen the various rumors about Captain Britain and that would be loads of fun to do a cool, modernised version of that — like the way they modernised Captain America. There’s something fun about that, and I do love being British.” As for this latest fake trailer, Mr. Cavill has not offered any comment or thoughts on it.

What upcoming projects does Henry Cavill have?

Henry Cavill has a relatively busy schedule for the immediate future. The 42-year-old actor, who celebrated his birthday in early May, will star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the upcoming action thriller Into The Grey. The film is currently in post-production. Other than that, Cavill has wrapped up filming on Voltron, a science-fiction caper based on the 1980s animated television series of the same name. Cavill is also set to reprise his role as Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes 3. Photography for the third film began in mid-April, wth locations including London and Malta.

For many fans, the most exciting Cavill-related news in recent months has been the fact that the actor’s Warhammer 40,000 TV show has officially been greenlit, following a deal between Games Workshop and Amazon. However, it is unlikely to start filming any time soon, with Cavill saying that the starting place for the show will “remain a secret” for now.

So, when can we expect a Captain Britain film? Not anytime soon, seemingly. But if we do get one, we’ll have a pretty good idea of who the actor will be…