Kevin Costner joins Superman cast

By Adnan Tezer Mar 18, 2011, 19:35 GMT

Kevin Costner will play Jonathan Kent in Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' untitled Superman reboot, opposite Henry Cavill as Superman.

According to Variety, Warner Bros. is looking to begin production this summer.

Diane Lane joined the cast two weeks ago as Martha Kent.

The Kents are the adoptive Earth parents of Superman in the original story in which they come across the rocket carrying the infant Kal-El from the planet Krypton and re-name him Clark Kent.

Viggo Mortensen's name has been mentioned to play the villain General Zod.

Alice Eve, Diane Kruger and Rosamund Pike have been mentioned as possible candidates for the female lead that will not be the Lois Lane character.

Zack Snyder ("300," "Watchmen" and the upcoming "Sucker Punch") will direct.

The film is set for a December 2012 release before Warners could potentially lose the copyright on the character in 2013.

Christopher Nolan will produce with wife Emma Thomas, as well as Charles Roven ("The Dark Knight") and Deborah Snyder ("Watchmen," "Sucker Punch").

David S. Goyer ("Batman Begins") is writing the script, based on a story he conceived with Nolan.

Plot details are being kept under wraps.

Superman is one of Warners/DC Comics' biggest icons, a major revenue generator for both studios through TV shows like "Smallville," videogames and merchandise.

Costner last starred in "The Company Men," opposite Ben Affleck and Tommy Lee Jones.