We are getting ready to depart a year that has been a major for facial hair. This is particularly true for the mustache, and arguably no one garnered more attention for theirs than Henry Cavill - who wore a pop culture-impacting lip rug in Mission: Impossible - Fallout. We've been discussing this ever since the release of Justice League last year, but clearly HBO is still having the best time with it, as you can see for yourself below:
In a late year teasing, HBO posted its take on the so-called "mustachegate" via a slideshow presentation on its Instagram account. In the first picture, Amy Adams' Lois Lane takes center stage. She can be seen mid-step in a cornfield with the caption "What was it like coming back?" Obviously, a question for Henry Cavill's Superman.
In the second slide, Clark Kent can be seen wearing a puzzled look on his face. His response to Lois? "Itchy." Cut to a smiling and clean-shaven Clark Kent. Making it appear that Clark is well-aware of his facial hair frenzy. Oh, Clark!
HBO is the latest in a long line of those who have had a great deal of fun with the mustache drama heard all around the world. The social media sensation stems from Henry Cavill's mustache, or lack thereof, in Justice League. For anyone in need of a recap, here is what you need to know.
Henry Cavill infamously grew a mustache for his role in Mission: Impossible - Fallout. Filming on that movie coincided with the actor having to do reshoots for Justice League, however, and he wasn't able to shave his facial hair for the Superman scenes. That's when the superhero movie's visual effects team needed to step in, removing Cavill's Mission: Impossible soup strainer digitally.
The result of that attempt was met with overwhelming online backlash, as responses to the scenes were not exactly favorable. In the end, the internet has received a meme that Justice League will never be able to put back in a box.
As for Henry Cavill, he has reflected about his days donning the mustache, as well as the unexpected impact it had on Justice League. He also showed off his humorous side by "mourning" its loss after it was shaved off.
HBO knows all about dealing with its stars' facial hair, especially beards. Fans will remember the facial accessory that Game of Thrones' Kit Harington had to wear for quite a while after filming. If taking a mustache off digitally was a situation, imagine what having to add a beard would entail. It is a nightmare even to contemplate it.
Thankfully, HBO and Game of Thrones will avoid such a disaster. With the network going so hard on Justice League, the premium cabler having an issue with one of the stars of their own show would have meant quite a few memes of its own.
HBO will be returning with a long list of original programming in the new year, and Justice League is now available to stream.
