Superman's Henry Cavill talks eating 5,000 calories a day

CEBU, Philippines - The first art from the new Man of Steel was released Thursday, and star Henry Cavill's superhero physique is on full display in the photo. The newest Superman recently spoke about the intense diet and training he's going through to bring the character, who can leap tall buildings in a single bound, to life.

"I'm on 5,000 calories a day," he revealed to Total Film magazine. "You've got to eat protein first, then a little bit of carbs ... you've gotta keep your hunger levels going."

That's just the mealtime. The star, who's been in tip-top shape before to play Theseus in Relativity's Immortals, out November 11, has also been hitting the gym. "I'm training two and a half hours a day, pushing my body beyond its normal limits, putting on a lot of muscle mass and just making myself look like Superman," he said.

Cavill also discussed what it feels like to don the iconic red and blue suit. "It's extremely cool. There's no other feeling like it," he said. "I turned around and look[ed] in the mirror and you can't really play it cool — you sort of guffaw and laugh. I thought 'Ok, holy hell, this is real, it's not a joke anymore."

And, the actor, who's from the British Jersey Islands, says he feels honored to be bringing an American character to life (who was beat out by Daniel Craig to play the new James Bond years ago).

"I'm very proud to be British and playing an iconic American superhero ... it means I'm doing something right somewhere."

Man of Steel will hit theaters June 14, 2013. (FREEMAN)