Global fame for a local hero

There can be few people outside the deepest regions of the Amazonian rainforest who are not familiar with the character in the blue and red outfit, his stupendous powers or his implacable opposition to evil.

But Superman has been imaginatively reincarnated. And the latest version of the icon, as seen in Man of Steel, the major film being premiered in Jersey today, defies some of the conventions of previous incarnations. According to pundits who have already seen the new film, the new Superman is a more subtle, darker and more reflective individual than his predecessors.

Of course, from the Island’s point of view, the eponymous Man of Steel is special in another way. Henry Cavill, the actor who plays him, can with justification be called Jersey’s Superman. He is a former student of St Michael’s School who later worked in the Island at Liquid nightclub, where he made many friends, and his fame as an international star does not prevent him from fondly calling this place home.

Indeed, comments he made in a JEP interview, published today, indicate that he regards the Jersey premiere as at least as important as the gala occasions which have already come and gone in New York and London.

Quite clearly, the role of Superman is a tremendously important feather in Mr Cavill’s cap and a massively significant addition to his CV. However, there are valuable spin-off benefits for Jersey too.

The film and its star’s personal history are helping to put the Island on the map. Moreover, today’s premiere at Cineworld is being attended by other actors of international standing – his co-stars Russell Crowe, who plays the hero’s father, Jor-El, and Amy Adams, who is the new Lois Lane.

By any standards, today’s premiere qualifies as a great occasion, but the many Islanders who will not make this particular screening will have plenty of opportunities to see mild-mannered Clark Kent’s transformation into the nemesis of the evil General Zod. Man of Steel is surely guaranteed to be one of Cineworld’s biggest hits.