Superman's reunion with his real-life hero From Neil Curry and Leila Hussain, for CNN June 19, 2013 -- Updated 1723 GMT (0123 HKT) Russell Crowe and Henry Cavill's paths first crossed when Crowe was filming scenes for Proof of Life at Cavill's boarding school. Cavill, who had been in school productions, sought acting advice and questioned Crowe. Crowe remembered the schoolboy and sent him a parcel, which included signed photograph. Years later their paths crossed again in a gym, and then eventually as co-stars in the latest Superman film. (CNN) -- It's not easy being a parent at the best of times - let alone when you're the father of a brooding Kryptonian. But Russell Crowe steps up to the challenge in the latest incarnation of Superman, fathering the "Man of Steel" played by Englishman Henry Cavill. And if some viewers happen to notice a particularly convincing on-screen tenderness between the two actors, it could well be because of chance encounter over a decade ago. It was in 2000 while filming the hostage thriller Proof of Life at the Stowe School in Buckinghamshire that Crowe, a lifelong rugby fan, spotted a young talent on the school pitch. There was a rugby match being played in the background and there was one kid on that field who was quite dominant and fluid and so he caught my eye. And in between shots that kid came over and talked to me but all his questions were about acting. Watch: Crowe and Cavill at the London premiere of Man of Steel The 16 year-old in shorts was none other than Henry Cavill, who until then had only played parts in school productions. Cavill remembers, "I walked up to him, stuck my hand out and said 'Hi my name's Henry, I am considering becoming an actor, any tips? What's it like?" and he said "well you know the pay is great but sometimes they don't treat you so good - and I'm paraphrasing!" This brief meeting left a lasting impression with the Gladiator star, even once he had returned home to the other side of the world. "I figured the greatest thing you could get when you're in boarding school or something is unexpected mail" explains Crowe, who sent a box over to the young fan a couple of days later. "I received an Aussie rugby jersey," Cavill remembers, "some Aussie sweets, some Vegemite, a band CD and a picture of him in Gladiator saying 'Dear Henry, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Russell. Nobody could have predicted that the journey would lead to the $250 million Superman reboot Man of Steel, least of all Russell Crowe, who struggled to recognise his co-star: Read more: Man of Steel at the box office Twelve years later I'm in a gym in Naperville, Illinois and I'm working out with my son in this movie that I'm doing, he's on the other side of the gym and I knew I knew him from somewhere, I just didn't know - I couldn't place him. Crowe notes that after a workout he asked Cavill "do I know you?" Cavill smiled and after and after several months was still reluctant to reveal all. I didn't want walk up to him and put him in that embarrassing situation where he has to lie to me like 'Hi, remember me? The kid from 12 years ago, the one kid you met during the shoot one day' I just assumed he wouldn't. But, Crowe did remember: He said 'do you remember a kid that came and talked to you?' I went yeah, he goes and he talked to you about acting? I said yes I do remember that, what did I say? And he said 'well they pay you pretty well but they treat you like s*** and I said yes Henry I did say that, good to see you! So it's an amazing little karmic circle. "We had a good laugh about it" recalls Cavill. It's one of those moments in life where you think what are the chances? June 12, 2013 -- Updated 1536 GMT (2336 HKT) A look at how comic book legend Stan Lee has drawn inspiration from China and India for his superhero characters. June 12, 2013 -- Updated 1535 GMT (2335 HKT) CNN's Neil Curry looks at the success of "The 99" - a comic book inspired by the Quran's 99 wisdoms of Allah. June 12, 2013 -- Updated 1045 GMT (1845 HKT) Superman is from Krypton, Batman from Gotham City. But what do you know about the rest? Take our quiz and find out. For a few days every summer, Metropolis, Illinois, puts on their annual "Superman Celebration" where everyone can be the Man of Steel. June 6, 2013 -- Updated 1142 GMT (1942 HKT) The comic book industry is changing and so are the fans. But they still like dressing up. June 6, 2013 -- Updated 0934 GMT (1734 HKT) We've seen deaths, weddings and surprise hookups. And that's just in the past five years. We've listed the recent changes in comic books.