Costner Confirmed As Pa Kent In SUPERMAN

Look, another one of those press release things!  This one confirms that vet actor Kevin Costner will be joining the cast of the upcoming Christopher Nolan produced/Zakk Snyder directed SUPERMAN reboot, and also confirms that he is indeed playing Jonathan “Pa” Kent.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Kevin Costner will play Jonathan Kent, the father who raised Clark Kent as his own son, in the new Superman movie to be directed by Zack Snyder.

Snyder stated, “Jonathan Kent is the only father figure Clark has ever had, the man who was there to help Clark understand what he was meant to do in the world as Superman.  Kevin will be able to communicate the quiet strength of this rural American man who raised the greatest super hero of all time.”

Costner will star alongside Diane Lane, who plays his wife, Martha, and the film’s star, Henry Cavill, who will play the new Clark Kent/Superman.

Costner most recently starred in 2010’s “The Company Men,” and is currently in development on the comedy “The One.”  He has won two Academy Awards®, for producing and directing the epic “Dances with Wolves,” also garnering a nomination for Best Actor.  He has also starred in a wide range of memorable films, including “The Untouchables,” “No Way Out,” “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “JFK,” “The Bodyguard,” “Wyatt Earp,” “Tin Cup” and “Swing Vote,” to name a few.

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film.  The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan.  Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

The new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Pretty cool casting, I feel.  Mr. Costner does great work, particularly in the early years of his career.  Loved “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” as a kid, and “Dances with Wolves” is the movie that “Avatar” wishes it was.  What’s more, the SUPERMAN reboot is shaping up to play a lot like the original “Superman: The Movie” did back in the 70s: lots of big name, supporting cast and a relative unknown playing the Man of Steel.

Earlier this week, Snyder gave an interview also confirming the film will be most likely called MAN OF STEEL, and will ignore the previous films in favor of focusing primarily on the early years of Superman’s life, and will be set mostly in Smallville.  Not too big on the title.  THE DARK KNIGHT works for Batman, but it works because it’s a sequel.  I feel the first one needs Superman’s name in the title.  Additionally, with all signs pointing to the film taking place in Smallville, does this mean we’ll have a Jonathan Kent who lives beyond Clark’s high school years?  It’s not necessarily a first for the character in any medium, but Kent’s dead even in modern Superman comic continuity now.  Only time will tell; “Superman” (Or “Man of Steel” or whatever) is slated for a December 2012 release.