Henry Cavill revealed that in an audition for the part of James Bond he was called “chubby” by the film’s director. During a recent interview, the 36-year-old recalled trying out for the coveted role, after Pierce Brosnan’s exit post Die Another Day.

“I probably could have prepared better. I remember the director, Martin Campbell, saying, ‘Looking a little chubby there, Henry’,” the Justice League star said. Cavill had auditioned for the role, wearing just a towel in an attempt to recreate Bond legend Sean Connery’s famous scene from From Russia With Love (1963). The British actor credited Campbell for telling him the “truth”. “I didn’t know how to train or diet. And I’m glad Martin said something because I respond well to the truth. It helps me get better,” he said.

Cavill has no qualms in disclosing he was “chubby” in his childhood and his bullies would often call him “Fat Cavill”. “I was a chubby kid. I could’ve very well gone down the route of just accepting my lot in life and being like, ‘I guess I’m not going to do anything’,” he said. 

Casino Royale was not the only rejection Cavill had faced in his career. He had also auditioned for the role of Edward Cullen from Twilight, a part which ultimately went to another British actor Robert Pattinson.