Actor Tom Britneywho plays Reverend Will Davenport in the ITV detective drama series Grantchester, recently announced he was auditioning for James Gunn’s Superman film and may have torn the superhero suit that was originally worn Henry Cavill. Notably, David Corenswet has been cast as Clark Kent / Superman in the DCU franchise, led by Gunn and Peter Safran.

Tom Brittney on ripping Henry Cavill’s Superman suit during DCU audition

Brittney revealed during his appearance on the Hellish podcast that he was one of the actors who tried out for the Superman movie and was given the opportunity to audition in a Superman suit previously worn by Cavill. He spoke in detail about the experience and expressed his fear that he might have torn it up.

“It was actually Henry Cavill’s Superman suit – it was his real suit.” the Greyhound actor recalled. Apparently he was surprised to find that the suit was a bit tight for him. Brittney, who is an inch taller than Cavill, explains: ‘It takes about half an hour to get into it – to get screwed into it. And yes, I think I accidentally tore it. He added humorously, “I was more muscular than Henry Cavill, that’s the only reason.”

It’s not particularly rare for an actor to audition or screen test in costume for existing projects. Even Cavill did the screen test for the DCEU Superman in the suit that Christopher Reeve wore during his appearance as Man of Steel. Other examples include Cillian Murphy, who screen tested for Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight films in Val Kilmer’s Batman Forever suit.

Superman will premiere in US theaters on July 11, 2025 and will be the first cinematic entry in the DCU. Gunn directed the film and wrote the screenplay based on DC characters. In addition to Corenswet, the cast includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen.