Taking a break from his role as Superman, Henry Cavill took a trip to the swinging 60s to star in Guy Ritchie's spy action-comedy The Man From U.N.C.L.E. It's a much more light-hearted role than 2013's Man of Steel, and offers a glimpse into how Cavill might have played James Bond (he was a finalist to play 007 before Daniel Craig landed the role).

Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer in 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer are major frenemies in 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' re-boot

In fact, some critics have said that U.N.C.L.E. is nothing but summer fluff. "As an actor, I don't go out looking for a message," he says. "But I believe anyone can take what they want from it. It's set in a time of potential nuclear apocalypse and asking how that would feel. The 1960s were, apparently, awesome. So if you're sitting around now being a misery-guts because you're having a bad day, well, what if it were the 1960s and the world could actually end?"

More: Watch Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer's 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' interview

That said, the 32-year-old actor admits that the movie is a fun ride. "It doesn't take itself too seriously," he says. "Guy was always telling us, 'No one's too cool, no one's too funny, no one's too stupid.' It's got that lovely thing of people seeming to be very sharp, then suddenly falling through a doorway. It makes larger-than-life characters human."

Watch the trailer for 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' here: 



Cavill has already finished shooting his next film, the Man of Steel follow-up Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and he's signed on to play Superman at least two more times. "It's a wonderful role," he says. "There's a huge potential there for complex storytelling, and I'm looking forward to exploring those avenues. He's a complex dude. People think Kryptonite can beat him. No, the only thing that can really beat Superman is Superman, his own moral choices. When you have that to start with, the storytelling can really delve into something rich."

More: Watch the trailer for 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'

And he's certainly not worried about being stuck in the role. "Come on, it's Superman! You can't be p***ed off at the idea of playing Superman!" Then adds, laughing, "Oh sorry, I'm just the grand-daddy of all superheroes. It's such a pain!"

More: Read our review of 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.'