A Gift for the Emperor: Henry Cavill Receives Custodes Box Set in Poland
Henry Cavill’s presence in Poland while filming Highlander proved that Warhammer 40,000 is inextricably linked to the actor, regardless of his location. During a break from production in Łódź, the former Superman star, who is set to helm the Warhammer 40,000 Cinematic Universe for Amazon, was presented with a highly specific gift by a local games store owner: a Custodes box set.
For those unfamiliar with the lore, the Adeptus Custodes are the Emperor’s elite bodyguards, far more powerful than the genetically enhanced Space Marines. Clad in resplendent gold armor, they are devoted to protecting the leader of the Imperium of Man. This gift was a deliberate nod to Cavill’s well-documented passion for the faction.
A Fan’s Dedication
The gift, specifically the Warhammer Horus Heresy: Legio Custodes Battle Group box, was delivered by BenzOC, a store owner in Łódź. In a Reddit post, BenzOC described the encounter as a "great experience," noting his desire for Cavill to take home "some nice Warhammer memories from our city."
Cavill’s enthusiasm for the franchise is no secret. He has previously shared clips on social media showcasing his painting skills and even left copies of the Horus Heresy tabletop game on his table during a photo documenting his recovery from a leg injury sustained on set.
During the interaction, Cavill was visibly thrilled by the present, as captured in photos from the scene. BenzOC expressed hope that the actor would return to shoot more Warhammer-related material in the city, referencing the massive adaptation project Cavill is preparing for.
The Wait for the Imperium
While the gift was a highlight of Cavill’s time in Poland, the broader Warhammer 40,000 adaptation remains a work in progress. Back in January, Games Workshop addressed the long wait for the project, insisting that Amazon controls the timeline for the adaptation. The company has cautioned fans not to expect any footage for some time, even more than three years after the initial deal was announced.
Despite the delay, excitement among the fanbase remains high. With Cavill steering the ship, many are confident the IP will be treated with the respect it deserves.
Adapting the Complex
Cavill has been vocal about the challenges of bringing this universe to life. Last June, he described the Warhammer 40,000 IP as "complex" and "tricky," but insisted he was loving the challenge of adapting it.
"Bringing Warhammer to life 'is a dream come true,' Cavill said, 'but it's different from what I've done before, in the sense I haven't had my hand on the tiller of things before. It's wonderful doing that. It is a tricky IP, and a very complex IP, and that's what I love about it.'"
He emphasized that the nuance and trickiness of the source material are what make the project so rewarding, aiming to do justice to its depth on screen.
More Than Just Warhammer
It wasn’t just Warhammer 40,000 that followed Cavill to Poland. Another fan gifted him a script of a The Witcher spinoff book. Given that Cavill played Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s adaptation and that the series originated in Poland as novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, this was another fitting tribute.
As for Highlander, production is in full swing with no release date yet announced. However, set photos have begun to emerge, hinting at a gritty, action-heavy reboot described as "John Wick with guns."
