Henry Cavill, the British actor renowned for his roles as Superman and Geralt of Rivia, has once again captured the internet’s attention—but this time, not for his on-screen heroics. On December 18, 2020, Cavill shared a series of Instagram posts showcasing a massive new addition to his collection of gaming gear: a custom-built gaming PC he dubbed his “new toy.” The reveal, which highlighted his passion for tech and gaming, thrilled fans, but it also sparked speculation about the actor’s physical health. Some netizens raised concerns that Cavill might be concealing an injury, pointing to his posture and lack of recent fitness updates as potential clues. As of May 2025, with new information available, this article revisits the 2020 incident, explores Cavill’s history with injuries, and examines whether the fan theories held any truth.
The Big Reveal: Cavill’s Gaming PC
Cavill’s Instagram posts from December 2020 were a geek’s dream come true. The actor, known for his love of gaming—particularly World of Warcraft and The Witcher video games—shared a detailed look at his new gaming PC build. The rig featured top-of-the-line components at the time: an AMD Ryzen 9 3950X processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 graphics card, 64GB of RAM, and a custom water-cooling system, all housed in a sleek, LED-lit case. Cavill proudly assembled the PC himself, a process he documented in a viral video that has since garnered over 5 million views on Instagram. His caption read, “This is my new toy! Took a while to put together, but I’m ready to dive back into Azeroth and slay some monsters in style.”
The internet went wild. Fans praised Cavill’s dedication to gaming culture, with many calling him the “ultimate nerd king.” Posts on X at the time echoed this sentiment, with users like @GamerGeek88 writing, “Henry Cavill building his own PC is the most relatable thing a Hollywood star has ever done.” Others were impressed by his technical know-how, noting that assembling a high-end PC with water cooling is no small feat, even for seasoned tech enthusiasts. Cavill’s passion for gaming wasn’t new—he had previously spoken about missing World of Warcraft raids to take the Superman role and nearly missing a call from Zack Snyder because he was deep in a gaming session.
The Injury Speculation: What Sparked the Rumors?
Amid the excitement over Cavill’s PC build, a subset of fans began to speculate about his health. The concern stemmed from a few observations in his Instagram video. In the footage, Cavill appeared to favor one leg while standing, and some fans noticed he seemed to move more cautiously than usual. Known for his intense physical roles and rigorous training regimens, Cavill had often shared glimpses of his workouts on social media—bench presses, sword training for The Witcher, and cardio sessions were staples of his feed. But in late 2020, these updates had become scarce, leading some to wonder if he was sidelining himself due to an injury.
Netizens on platforms like Reddit and X pointed to Cavill’s posture as evidence. A user on Reddit’s r/TheWitcher subreddit wrote, “Did anyone else notice how Henry was standing in that PC build video? He’s leaning heavily on his left side, and his right leg looks stiff. I hope he’s okay—he’s got to be in top shape for The Witcher Season 2.” Another X post from @CavillFanatic speculated, “No gym posts for weeks, and now he’s building a PC instead of training? I bet he’s injured and doesn’t want to admit it. Maybe something happened on set.”
At the time, Cavill was deep into filming The Witcher Season 2, a production known for its physically demanding stunts. Geralt of Rivia’s role required extensive sword fighting, horseback riding, and combat scenes, all of which Cavill insisted on performing himself to maintain authenticity. Given his history of on-set injuries—such as a minor shoulder strain during Man of Steel in 2013—the speculation wasn’t entirely baseless. Fans feared that an injury could delay production or affect Cavill’s ability to continue in the role, especially since The Witcher had already faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cavill’s Injury History: A Closer Look
To understand whether the 2020 rumors held water, it’s worth examining Cavill’s track record with injuries. Cavill has always been candid about the physical toll of his roles. During the filming of Man of Steel, he sustained a shoulder injury while training for Superman’s shirtless scenes, though it didn’t significantly impact production. In a 2013 interview with Men’s Health, Cavill admitted, “I pushed too hard on a lift and felt something pop. It wasn’t serious, but it reminded me to respect my limits.”
More notably, while filming The Witcher Season 1 in 2019, Cavill narrowly avoided a severe injury during a stunt gone wrong. Showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich revealed in a 2020 interview with Collider that Cavill had been filming a fight scene in the woods when he slipped on uneven terrain, nearly tearing a ligament in his knee. “He caught himself just in time, but it was a close call,” Hissrich said. “Henry’s commitment to doing his own stunts is incredible, but it does come with risks.”
The most significant injury came later, in December 2020—shortly after the PC build video sparked speculation. While filming a high-speed chase scene for The Witcher Season 2, Cavill suffered a hamstring injury that forced production to halt for several weeks. The injury occurred when he was sprinting through a forest while wearing Geralt’s heavy armor, a grueling task that Cavill later described on Instagram as “one of the toughest shoots I’ve ever done.” He reassured fans, saying, “I’m on the mend, and we’ll be back stronger than ever,” but the incident confirmed that Cavill was indeed pushing his body to its limits during that period.
Given the timing, it’s plausible that Cavill was already dealing with minor discomfort or fatigue when he filmed the PC build video, even if the hamstring injury hadn’t yet occurred. His cautious movements could have been a sign of early strain, though there’s no definitive evidence he was hiding a major injury at the time of the post.
Did Cavill Hide an Injury?
Looking back with the benefit of hindsight in May 2025, the fan speculation appears to have been partially correct but largely exaggerated. Cavill’s hamstring injury in late December 2020 suggests that he may have been dealing with physical strain during the PC build video, but there’s no indication he was deliberately concealing a serious issue. His lack of gym posts in late 2020 could be attributed to a busy filming schedule rather than an injury cover-up—The Witcher Season 2 production was notoriously intense, with long shooting days and pandemic-related restrictions.
Cavill’s personality also counters the idea of him hiding an injury. The actor has consistently been open about his physical challenges, often sharing recovery updates with fans. For instance, after his 2020 hamstring injury, he posted a photo of himself in physical therapy, captioning it, “Rehab isn’t glamorous, but it’s necessary.” This transparency aligns with his reputation for authenticity, as noted in a 2024 Kenh14.vn article, which described Cavill as “dedicated and honest,” earning him admiration in Hollywood for his work ethic.
Moreover, Cavill’s focus on building a gaming PC doesn’t necessarily indicate he was sidelining fitness. The actor has long balanced his love for gaming with his physical training. In a 2021 interview with Empire, Cavill revealed that he often games late at night after filming, using it as a way to unwind. “I’ll spend hours in the gym, then come home and spend hours in Azeroth,” he said, referring to the World of Warcraft universe. The PC build was likely a passion project he undertook during a rare break in his schedule, not a sign of forced inactivity.
The Bigger Picture: Cavill’s Career and Health in 2025
Fast forward to May 2025, and Cavill’s career has continued to thrive, though not without further physical challenges. After completing The Witcher Season 3 in 2023, Cavill exited the series due to creative differences, a move that shocked fans but allowed him to explore new roles. He has since signed on to produce and star in a Warhammer 40k series with Amazon, a project that aligns with his gaming passion, as reported by Variety in 2024. However, Cavill’s physical demands remain high—filming for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare in 2024 reportedly left him with a minor ankle sprain, according to a post on X by @FilmUpdates.
Cavill’s history of injuries underscores the toll that action roles take on even the most dedicated actors. A 2023 study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that stunt performers and actors doing their own stunts face a 20% higher risk of injury compared to other film crew members, with common issues including sprains, fractures, and muscle tears. Cavill’s commitment to authenticity—performing his own stunts in The Witcher, Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), and other projects—puts him squarely in this high-risk category. Yet, his openness about recovery and his proactive approach to fitness, including a strict diet and training regimen, have kept him in peak condition.
Conclusion: A Storm in a Teacup
The 2020 speculation about Henry Cavill hiding an injury during his gaming PC reveal was a classic case of fans reading too much into limited evidence. While Cavill did suffer a hamstring injury shortly after the video, there’s no proof he was concealing a major issue at the time. His cautious posture could have been a sign of fatigue or minor discomfort from filming, but the actor’s transparency about his physical challenges suggests he wasn’t hiding anything significant. The incident highlights how Cavill’s fans, while well-meaning, can sometimes amplify small details into larger narratives, especially given his history of on-set injuries.
As of May 2025, Cavill remains a Hollywood powerhouse, balancing his love for gaming with the physical demands of his career. The “new toy” saga of 2020 is now a footnote in his journey, a reminder of his relatability and the intense scrutiny that comes with fame. Whether he’s slaying monsters in The Witcher or building a PC to conquer virtual worlds, Cavill continues to captivate audiences—proving that even Superman isn’t immune to the occasional bump in the road.
