d+ Henry Cavill’s Stone-Cold Superman Composure Crumbles as Jason Momoa Launches 2016’s Most Adorable DC Sneak-Attack. d+

On a red carpet filled with flashing cameras, million-dollar smiles, and superheroes walking among mere mortals, no one expected the most viral moment of the night to come from a hug ambush. Yet that is exactly what happened when Henry Cavill, the famously composed Man of Steel, found himself wrapped in the exuberant arms of Jason Momoa—Aquaman himself—in a moment now immortalized across fan pages, reaction memes, and more than 40 million online views.

It happened in seconds, but the world hasn’t stopped replaying it for years.

Under the bright lights of London’s “Suicide Squad” premiere in 2016, Cavill stood poised in a midnight-blue suit, answering questions with the calm, refined charm that has become his trademark. Camera crews circled him. Publicists hovered. Fans screamed his name from behind barricades. Everything was unfolding as expected—until something large, fast, and unmistakably enthusiastic entered the frame.

Jason Momoa.

The Hawaiian-born star, known for his wild energy, booming laughter, and Viking-like presence, tiptoed behind Cavill with all the subtlety of a friendly rhinoceros. And before Cavill—or the crowd—could fully process what was happening, Momoa launched into a massive bear hug from behind, lifting Cavill slightly off the ground and shattering all traces of red-carpet seriousness.

In an instant, the internet had its new favorite GIF.

Cavill, who moments earlier had been channeling total Superman stoicism, broke into a genuine, unrestrained grin. His shoulders relaxed. His posture softened. And as he turned to face Momoa, the two shared the kind of joyful laughter that reminded fans why their on-screen chemistry—however brief in the DC Extended Universe—has always felt authentic.

This was not a PR stunt. It wasn’t scripted. It wasn’t even part of the official event.
It was simply two friends colliding in the middle of a superhero spectacle.

The Bromance That Fans Never Get Enough Of

DC fans have long adored the dynamic between Cavill and Momoa. They are, in many ways, opposites: Cavill is measured, articulate, and composed, while Momoa radiates untamed charisma and brings chaos wherever he walks—fun chaos. But when placed together, the contrast becomes electric.

The red-carpet sneak attack only intensified this perception, spawning fan edits, comic-style recreations, and interviews in which both actors were asked to describe their friendship. Cavill later admitted that Momoa’s energy was “contagious,” while Momoa happily declared he loved giving Cavill a hard time.

But beyond the jokes, their bond symbolized something DC desperately needed in that era: warmth.
The DCEU had been criticized for feeling dark and overly serious, yet here were its leading men laughing, hugging, and radiating genuine affection—proof that beneath the armor, capes, and billion-dollar franchises were simply two friends enjoying the ride.

Why This Moment Lives Rent-Free in Pop Culture

Out of all the superhero press-tour moments over the past decade, this one has remained uniquely iconic. Why?

Because it felt real.

In an industry built on image control, curated personas, and orchestrated publicity, spontaneity is rare. Moments of pure human emotion—joy, surprise, affection—stand out. Momoa’s gleeful ambush broke the red-carpet script. Cavill’s reaction—the grin that fans swear “restored world peace”—proved just how authentic their connection was.

Millions of fans revisited the clips again and again because the moment captured a side of celebrity culture that often goes unseen: unscripted friendship.

A Reminder That Superheroes Are Still Human

As the DC Universe has evolved, restructured, rebooted, and reinvented itself, one thing has remained unchanged: the fandom’s love for these two actors. Whether or not they share the screen again, the 2016 moment continues resurfacing every time their names trend online.

It represents something bigger than a hug.
It symbolizes camaraderie, humor, and humanity at the center of a franchise often weighed down by expectations.

As Henry Cavill once said in an interview, “You don’t forget the people who make the journey fun.”
On that pink carpet, Jason Momoa did exactly that—and the whole world got to witness it.

A Final Image Worth a Thousand Memes

Today, the photo series has become a treasured relic of DC fandom: Cavill in a sharp suit trying—failing—to stay serious; Momoa grinning like a kid who just got away with something; the two men sharing a laugh that broke the internet.

In a universe filled with battles, villains, and intense storylines, this remains one of the warmest, funniest, and most replayed DC moments ever captured.

Because sometimes, the most heroic thing a franchise can give its fans…
is a hug.