The glittering lights of London’s Leicester Square on a balmy August evening in 2016, the air buzzing with anticipation for the European premiere of Suicide Squad. Hollywood’s elite strut down the pink carpet—yes, pink, in a nod to Harley Quinn’s chaotic vibe—posing for flashes that could light up the Thames. Among them stands Henry Cavill, the epitome of poised sophistication, channeling his inner Clark Kent with a steely gaze and a perfectly tailored suit. He’s mid-interview, discussing his role as Superman in the expanding DC Extended Universe (DCEU), when out of nowhere, a towering figure emerges from the shadows like a tidal wave crashing ashore.

That figure? Jason Momoa, the soon-to-be Aquaman, with his signature wild mane, tribal tattoos peeking from his collar, and a grin that could charm a shark. In one fluid motion, Momoa sneaks up behind Cavill, wraps his massive arms around him in a bear hug that lifts the British actor off his feet, and unleashes a roar of laughter that echoes through the crowd. Cavill, caught completely off guard, freezes for a split second—his “cold Superman” facade cracking like Kryptonite—before turning, locking eyes with his ambusher, and whispering something inaudible that sends the photographers into a frenzy. The moment, captured in high-definition glory, didn’t just steal the show; it ignited a bromance that would define the DCEU for years to come. And the world? It rewound that clip five times, then ten, debating if it was scripted or spontaneous magic. Spoiler: it was real, raw, and utterly adorable.

This wasn’t just a hug; it was a cultural phenomenon. In an era where superhero films were battling for supremacy—Marvel’s polished ensemble casts versus DC’s darker, grittier tone—this unscripted display of affection humanized two of cinema’s most imposing figures. Cavill, often typecast as the stoic hero, revealed a playful vulnerability. Momoa, the boisterous Hawaiian force of nature, showed his heart of gold. Together, they created a spark that fanned the flames of fan adoration, spawning memes, fan art, and endless speculation about their off-screen bond. As we look back on that night from the vantage point of 2025, with the DCEU evolving under new leadership at Warner Bros., it’s worth diving deep into why this single embrace continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Let’s rewind the tape and unpack the magic, frame by frame.

To appreciate the impact, we must first set the stage with the men at the center of it all. Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill, born on the island of Jersey in 1983, rose to fame through a series of roles that showcased his chiseled physique and commanding presence. From his breakout as Charles Brandon in The Tudors to his portrayal of Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher, Cavill has mastered the art of the brooding leading man. But it was his casting as Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel that catapulted him into the stratosphere. Directed by Zack Snyder, the film reimagined the Last Son of Krypton as a conflicted outsider, burdened by his powers and humanity’s fears. Cavill embodied that duality with a quiet intensity, his blue eyes piercing through the screen like laser vision. Off-camera, he’s known for his gentlemanly demeanor—polite, articulate, and a self-proclaimed geek who builds PCs and paints Warhammer miniatures in his spare time.

Contrast that with Jason Momoa, born Joseph Jason Namakaeha Momoa in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1979. With Polynesian and European roots, Momoa burst onto the scene as the fierce Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, a role that highlighted his raw physicality and magnetic charisma. Standing at 6’4″ with a build forged from surfing and rock climbing, he’s the antithesis of Cavill’s refined elegance—loud, larger-than-life, and unapologetically fun. His casting as Arthur Curry/Aquaman in the DCEU was a bold choice; traditionally depicted as a clean-cut blond hero, Momoa’s version brought a rugged, oceanic edge, complete with long hair and a trident that screamed “party in Atlantis.” Momoa thrives on spontaneity, often sharing stories of his adventures, from motorcycle rides across the U.S. to environmental activism with his non-profit, Mana Ohana.

The paths of these two titans converged in the DCEU, a franchise aiming to rival Marvel’s interconnected universe. Suicide Squad, directed by David Ayer and released in August 2016, was the third installment after Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While Cavill’s Superman had a cameo in the latter, Momoa’s Aquaman was teased in a brief scene, setting up his full debut in 2017’s Justice League. The London premiere on August 3, 2016, was a star-studded affair: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Will Smith as Deadshot, Jared Leto as the Joker, and a host of others turned out in style. The pink carpet—a playful twist on the traditional red—stretched under the Odeon Leicester Square, with fans lining the barriers, chanting character names and waving signs.

Cavill arrived early, exuding that signature Superman poise. Dressed in a sharp navy suit with a subtle pocket square, he fielded questions from reporters about the film’s tone, his workout regimen, and hints at future crossovers. “It’s exciting to see the universe expand,” he said in one clip, his British accent crisp and composed. Little did he know, chaos was brewing just out of frame. Momoa, who wasn’t even in Suicide Squad but attended as a DCEU family member, had been lurking nearby. In interviews later, Momoa admitted he spotted Cavill from afar and couldn’t resist. “Henry’s always so serious on the carpet,” Momoa told Entertainment Weekly in 2017. “I thought, ‘Let’s loosen him up a bit.'”

The ambush unfolded like a scene from a comic book. As Cavill wrapped up his interview, Momoa crept up—his 6’4″ frame somehow stealthy amid the crowd—arms outstretched like a predator pouncing. The hug hit with full force: Momoa’s biceps enveloped Cavill’s shoulders, lifting him slightly as if defying gravity. Cavill’s initial reaction? A momentary stiffen, his eyes widening in genuine surprise. The cameras caught it all—the split-second of “What the—?” before recognition dawned. Cavill spun around, face-to-face with Momoa’s beaming smile, and the two erupted into laughter. What followed was a heartfelt embrace, pats on the back, and that mysterious whisper. Lip-readers and fans have debated it endlessly: Was it “You got me!” or “Brother!”? Cavill has never confirmed, adding to the allure, but in a 2018 podcast, he chuckled, “It was something along the lines of welcoming him to the family.”

The peak of adorableness came when Jai Courtney, Momoa’s co-star from Suicide Squad as Captain Boomerang, joined in, turning the duo into a trio of back-slapping joy. But it was the Cavill-Momoa dynamic that stole hearts. Momoa’s playful energy cracked Cavill’s armor, revealing a side of the Superman actor rarely seen: goofy, affectionate, human. The clip, uploaded by Getty Images and shared by outlets like BuzzFeed and E! News, went viral overnight. By morning, it had millions of views on YouTube, with titles like “Jason Momoa Surprises Henry Cavill with Epic Hug” and “Aquaman Attacks Superman on Red Carpet.”

Social media exploded. Twitter (now X) trended with #CavillMomoaHug, fans posting gifs of the moment looped endlessly. “This is the bromance we didn’t know we needed!” tweeted one user, garnering thousands of likes. Reddit threads in r/DCEU and r/aww dissected every frame: “Henry’s face when he realizes it’s Jason—pure gold.” Memes proliferated, photoshopping the hug into historical events or Marvel scenes, like Momoa ambushing Chris Evans. Instagram fan accounts dedicated to the pair surged, compiling edits set to upbeat tracks like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.” Even celebrities weighed in: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Momoa’s future co-star in Black Adam, commented, “That’s how you do a welcome, boys!”

What made this moment so rewound-worthy? In a word: authenticity. The DCEU, criticized for its somber tone compared to Marvel’s humor, desperately needed levity. This hug provided it organically, humanizing the gods among men. It also tapped into the universal appeal of male friendship—unabashed, physical, joyful—in an industry often fixated on romance. Psychologists like Dr. Elena Ramirez from UCLA note that such displays resonate because they challenge stereotypes: “Seeing two alpha males express affection without reservation is empowering and endearing.”

This wasn’t a one-off; it was the genesis of a legendary bromance. Post-premiere, Cavill and Momoa bonded on the Justice League set in 2016-2017. Snyder’s reshoots and the infamous “Snyder Cut” campaign amplified their chemistry. In behind-the-scenes footage, they’re seen joking between takes—Momoa teaching Cavill Hawaiian slang, Cavill challenging him to arm-wrestling matches. At the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con, they shared a panel, with Momoa draping an arm around Cavill, declaring, “This guy’s my bro.” Cavill reciprocated, praising Momoa’s “infectious energy.”

Their friendship extended off-set. In 2018, Momoa hosted Cavill at his Hawaii home for a weekend of surfing and barbecues. Cavill, in a GQ interview, called it “rejuvenating.” They’ve supported each other’s projects: Cavill attended the Aquaman premiere, Momoa hyped The Witcher on Instagram. Even after Cavill’s Superman exit in 2023 amid James Gunn’s DC reboot, Momoa publicly lamented, “Miss my Supes bro.” Fans speculate a future team-up, perhaps in a multiverse cameo.

The hug’s legacy endures. In 2025, with DC’s Superman: Legacy on the horizon starring David Corenswet, nostalgia runs high. TikTok challenges recreate the moment, amassing billions of views. A 2024 documentary on the DCEU featured it as a “turning point.” Why does it still make us rewind? Because in a world of scripted spectacles, this was pure, unfiltered joy—a reminder that even superheroes need a hug.

As Momoa once said, “Life’s too short not to surprise your friends.” That night in London, he did just that, and the world is still smiling.