Henry Cavill 'screamed' after winning Superman role

Henry Cavill "screamed for 20 minutes" when he found out he had been cast as Superman.

The British actor - who will play the titular hero in the forthcoming Zack Snyder movie 'Superman: Man of Steel' - was initially given the role a number of years ago before Bryan Singer recast it in 2006's 'Superman Returns', but he is glad to have grown older before he took the part.

He said: "I got the phone call, then ran round the house screaming for 20 minutes, then sat down and thought, 'Wow, I'm Superman. That's insane.'

"It took me a good long time to get used to the idea. I'm still not used to it.

"As much as I wanted it at a younger age, you get to a certain point where you go, 'OK, I'm ready for most things now.' Back then, you believe you're ready for it. But as soon as it happens, you think that it's a little heavy. I'm glad it's happening now as opposed to any other time."

Despite the famousness of the role, Henry - who will star alongside Amy Adams in the film - is not letting the pressure get to him.

He told MTV News: "There's always pressure. The question is whether you allow yourself to be affected by it. Ultimately, it's a destructive force if you're going, 'Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,' and you're panicking. I just go do my job and hope everyone likes it."