Henry Cavill—our beloved Superman, the stoic Geralt of Rivia, and the man who made mustaches iconic in Mission: Impossible – Fallout—has officially joined the ranks of fatherhood. The world let out a collective cheer when the British heartthrob announced the arrival of his first child with partner Natalie Viscuso earlier this year. But what has truly captured fans’ hearts isn’t just the image of Cavill as a doting dad; it’s his genuine sincerity and humility as he navigates this new role, all while dropping a hilariously nerdy bombshell about his parenting plans. Spoiler alert: they involve glue, scalpels, and a certain tabletop game obsession that has the internet in stitches.

Let’s rewind to last summer, when Cavill, ever the charming social media maestro, shared a Father’s Day post that doubled as a pregnancy announcement. “Oh yeah…and Happy Father’s Day ye dads out there,” he wrote on Instagram, his tone as warm as a freshly baked loaf of bread. “Turns out I shall be joining your hallowed ranks soon! Any tips??” The post was quintessential Cavill—earnest, approachable, and just a touch cheeky. But then came the line that sent fans into a frenzy: “And don’t worry, pillows won’t be in the crib when the wee one arrives, just glue and scalpels so he or she can build Warhammer miniatures.” Yes, you read that right. Henry Cavill, the man who can bench press a small car, wants his newborn to dive straight into the intricate world of Warhammer 40,000 model-building. Forget rattles and teddy bears—this baby’s first toy might just be a Chaos Space Marine.

Now, before we picture a tiny Cavill junior wielding a scalpel with the precision of a surgeon, let’s take a step back and appreciate the context. Cavill’s love for Warhammer isn’t exactly a secret. The actor has been vocal about his passion for the tabletop miniature wargame for years, often sharing glimpses of his meticulously painted models on social media. He’s even spearheading a live-action adaptation of Warhammer 40,000 with Natalie, a project he described as a “dream come true” after 22 years in the industry. So, when he jokingly suggested equipping his baby with the tools of the trade, fans knew he was speaking from the heart—albeit with a hefty dose of humor. The internet exploded with memes, with one user quipping, “Henry Cavill’s baby will be painting Warhammer models before they can even say ‘dada.’” Another chimed in, “Most parents: ‘Let’s baby-proof the house.’ Henry: ‘Let’s baby-proof the hobby desk!’”

But beneath the laughter lies something truly endearing: Cavill’s genuine humility as he steps into fatherhood. Here’s a man who has saved the world as Superman, slain monsters as Geralt, and charmed audiences as Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes. Yet, when it comes to being a dad, he’s not afraid to admit he’s a rookie in need of guidance. That Father’s Day post wasn’t just a cute announcement—it was a heartfelt plea for advice from a man who, despite his larger-than-life persona, is refreshingly grounded. “Any tips??” he asked, and you could almost hear the earnestness in his voice. This isn’t the cocky swagger of a Hollywood star; it’s the humble curiosity of a soon-to-be dad who wants to get it right.

Cavill’s sincerity isn’t new. Back in his teenage years, when he was still a self-described “chubby kid” dreaming of acting, he approached Russell Crowe on the set of A Beautiful Mind to ask for career advice. The story is legendary among fans: a 16-year-old Cavill, attending Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, mustered the courage to speak to the Gladiator star, who was filming nearby. Crowe, impressed by the young boy’s gumption, sent him a postcard with the encouraging words, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Years later, the two would share the screen in Man of Steel, with Crowe playing Superman’s father, Jor-El, and Cavill donning the iconic cape. It’s a full-circle moment that speaks volumes about Cavill’s willingness to seek guidance, even as a young dreamer with stars in his eyes.

Fast forward to 2024, and that same humility shines through as Cavill prepares for fatherhood. In an interview with Access Hollywood at the premiere of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, he shared his excitement about becoming a dad, saying, “Natalie and I are very thrilled about this. I’m sure you’ll be hearing more wonderful things soon.” The joy in his voice was palpable, but so was his openness to learning. This is a man who has faced down dragons (on screen, at least) and survived grueling film shoots—like the time he tore a hamstring while filming The Witcher—yet he approaches parenting with the wide-eyed wonder of a first-timer. It’s a stark contrast to the polished, invincible image we often associate with Hollywood stars, and it’s precisely why fans adore him.

Of course, Cavill’s journey to fatherhood hasn’t been without its challenges. The actor has been candid about the pressures of fame, particularly when it comes to his personal life. In a 2017 interview with The Rake, he spoke about the downside of being in the spotlight: “The moment I start a relationship, there’s a wave of hate directed at me and my partner. People say I’ve changed, but I haven’t changed at all.” Despite this, Cavill has always prioritized his loved ones, valuing his “private time with friends and family” above all else. His relationship with Natalie Viscuso, a talented executive who once served as vice president at Legendary Entertainment, has been a source of strength. The couple met during the COVID-19 pandemic, bonded over their shared love of storytelling, and made their relationship public in 2021 with a sweet Instagram post of them playing chess. Since then, they’ve been inseparable, attending red carpet events together and collaborating on the Warhammer project.

Natalie, with her intelligence and down-to-earth charm, seems to be the perfect match for Cavill. She’s no stranger to the entertainment world, having appeared on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 as a teenager and later carving out a successful career in Hollywood. But what makes their partnership so special is their shared nerdiness. Cavill has called working with Natalie on the Warhammer adaptation “a blessing beyond words,” and it’s easy to imagine them spending evenings together, debating the best paint colors for a Space Marine or arguing over which faction reigns supreme in the Warhammer universe. It’s this playful dynamic that likely inspired Cavill’s tongue-in-cheek comment about his baby’s future hobbies.

Speaking of that comment, let’s circle back to the glue-and-scalpels quip that has everyone talking. For those unfamiliar with Warhammer 40,000, it’s a tabletop game where players build, paint, and battle with intricately detailed miniature models—think tiny soldiers, tanks, and monsters, all requiring the patience of a saint to assemble. It’s not exactly a beginner-friendly hobby, let alone something you’d hand to a newborn. But Cavill’s jest speaks to his desire to share his passions with his child, even if he’s clearly joking about the timeline. One can’t help but imagine a future where Cavill, ever the proud dad, sits at a table with his toddler, carefully guiding tiny hands to paint a Warhammer figurine while Natalie laughs in the background, reminding them to keep the glue away from the baby’s mouth.

This blend of humor and heart is what makes Cavill so relatable. He’s not just a celebrity—he’s a geek, a romantic, and now, a dad who’s eager to embrace the messy, wonderful chaos of parenthood. His sincerity in seeking advice, coupled with his lighthearted Warhammer comment, paints a picture of a man who’s both grounded and delightfully quirky. It’s a reminder that even superheroes (or at least the actors who play them) have their vulnerabilities, and Cavill wears his with pride.

As Cavill embarks on this new chapter, fans can’t wait to see how fatherhood shapes him. Will he trade his Superman cape for a baby sling? Will he and Natalie host Warhammer-themed birthday parties for their little one? One thing’s for sure: with his humility, humor, and unwavering love for his family, Henry Cavill is already proving to be a super dad in the making. And who knows—maybe in a few years, we’ll see a tiny Cavill wielding a paintbrush, ready to conquer the Warhammer battlefield, one miniature at a time.