RUMOR: Bradley Cooper Playing Lex Luthor?

Bradley Cooper has been choosing a lot of odd projects lately which run the gauntlet of comedy, indie, action, blockbuster, genre and drama. Today's big rumor of the day brings Cooper back to the world of comic book roles. CosimicBookNews (via ComicBookMovie) "reports" that now that Paradise Lost's production is on hold Warner Bros. is looking for Cooper to make a cameo in Man of Steel as Lex Luthor.

At the moment this nothing but an interesting rumor but if the studio is really intent on making more Superman films Cooper isn't a bad casting choice for Lex. It had been mentioned a while back the studio might be already working on a sequel to Man of Steel. If true it could end up as brief as Russell Crowe's cameo as Jor-El, Superman's father.

Bradley had been previously rumored for Edgar Wright's Ant-Man. He also had some interest in Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) before being replaced by Ryan Reynolds and Eric Draven in the now dead Crow reboot.

Warner Bros. Looking For Writers To Script Man Of Steel Sequel?

ThinkMcFlyThink reports that Warner Bros. is moving forward with a sequel to Man of Steel the Superman reboot from director Zack Snyder (Watchmen, 300). The studio is currently looking at writers to pen a script for the sequel.

The writers in question include Steve Kloves (Akira, Amazing Spider-Man, Harry Potter Series), Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim, Clash of The Titans) and Lawrence Kasdan (Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of The Lost Ark, Paradise Lost).

While I don't know all the legality of the Superman rights dispute the studio could lose the film rights if they don't keep making films. I'm sure they are happy with what Snyder and the excellent cast are delivering but I feel this could be just a way for the studio to keep their lawyers happy. That's of course this is even true as this very well could be just a rumor.

FIRST LOOK: Russell Crowe As Jor-El On The Set Of Man Of Steel

Russell Crowe & Connie Nielsen In Talks To Play Superman's Kryptonian Parents

ShowBlitz reports that Russell Crowe is in talks to play Jor-El, Superman's biological father. It had been rumored that Daniel Day-Lewis and Viggo Mortensen had been offered the part in Zack Snyder's Superman: Man of Steel. GeekTyrant also says Crowe's Gladiator co-star Connie Nielsen has been offered the role of Lara, Superman's mother. It's yet another interesting group of casting for the film that already stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner.

RUMOR: Daniel Day-Lewis Being Looked At For Superman's Father Jor-El?

In the same article from LatinoReview they claim the rumored involvement of Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood) was not for a villainous role. Instead it was for the iconic role of Jor-El (Superman's father) famously played by Marlon Brando in the original films. They also say that Krypton will be shown along with Superman's biological mother and father. I expect if Jor-El makes the film it would be a cameo and I'd like to think they would quickly move through any origin scenes. As we've been subjected to enough of the origin of Superman and it's unnecessary to re-track the story.

RUMOR: Kryptoian Villain Faora Also In Superman?

LatinoReview is upping their previous rumor of the inclusion of a female Kryptoian villain. They state it's Faora who is an actual character from the comics with ties to Zod. She was the basis for the Richard Donner character Ursa which was featured in Superman II. It was rumored that actresses Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), Alice Eve and Rosamound Pike were auditioning for the role of a villain and not the role of Lois Lane.

Michael Shannon Officially Playing Zod In Zack Snyder's Man Of Steel

Warner Bros. has finally announced the villain for Zack Snyder's Superman reboot which is now officially titled Man of Steel. Michael Shannon is set to play General Zod and is likely to steal the show. Shannon has been known as a character actor taking smaller roles but came into his own recently with his performance in the first season of HBO's Boardwalk Empire. It's still unknown if Lex Luthor, General Sam Lane or Metallo will also be involved in the film but at least we know Zod is for sure now. Shannon joins an impressive cast that includes Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner.

RUMOR: General Sam Lane & Metallo Villains Of Superman Reboot?

Yet another crop of possible villains have crept online via ComicBookMovie. This time it's General Sam Lane the father of Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and the military created villain Metallo. General Sam Lane sees Superman as a threat to national security and discovers that kryptonite is a powerful resource using it power Metallo's robotic suit. It seems a little too similar to the plot points of The Incredible Hulk but it might be the best way to ground the character giving a limit to his powers.

Previously there had been concept artwork for the J.J. Abrams/Brett Ratner version of Superman before Bryan Singer came in. One piece of the art has what appears to be the Metallo suit firing off missiles possibly containing kryptonite.

Zack Snyder Confirms His Superman & Nolan's Batman Won't Be In Justice League, Will Have It's Own Takes On The Heroes

HeyUGuys was able to ask director Zack Snyder a Justice League question during the UK premiere of Sucker Punch. They asked how his Superman would fit into DC's answer to the Avengers. Zack stated that both his take on Superman and along with Nolan's Batman won't be involved. They will have a separate take on the heroes.

"It doesn’t. Like what Chris Nolan is doing and what I’m doing with Superman, what they’ll do with Justice League will be it’s own thing with it’s own Batman and own Superman. We’ll be over here with our movie and they kinda get to do it twice which is kinda cool."

It's unknown if Ryan Reynolds' Green Lantern will be included or not. This could give a clue on purposed Batman reboot. That it might still be set in the Gotham City Christopher Nolan has created. There is also the possibility that the established cast could stay in the roles.

Warner Bros. Rebooting Batman After Dark Knight Rises & Nolan Will Produce

This was expected but it hasn't been confirmed until now. Warner Bros' Jeff Robinov confirmed to HeroComplex that after The Dark Knight Rises the studio will reboot the character so that it can be included in a Justice League film. The surprising part is that Christopher Nolan and his wife/partner Emma Thomas will be contributing as producers and I assume also as character consultants. It would fall in line with their involvement with the new Superman reboot. There is no word if Christian Bale will reprise the role in the reboot but it's very likely to keep the Nolan films seperate they will recast. This could also open the door for Robin and Batgirl to return along with the colorful rouges gallery that could never be in a Nolan film.


"Batman will continue to be a centerpiece property beyond next year’s 'The Dark Knight Rises' and Nolan’s departure from the franchise. "We have the third Batman, but then we’ll have to reinvent Batman." Asked whether that meant he wanted to reinvent or possibly even reboot the character, Robinov answered assertively: "I do. Chris Nolan and [producing partner and wife] Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is."

Viggo Mortensen Drops Snow White, Could He Be Open For Superman Now?

HeatVision has learned talks between producers of Snow White & The Huntsman and Viggo Mortensen have broken down. They say he asked for too much money and profits which has lead him to walk. Viggo was set to play the Huntsman in the film who instead of killing trains Snow White.

I believe the problem might have been the casting of Kristen Stewart in the lead who doesn't have the greatest on set reputation or even the respect of her peers. Whatever the case is Viggo could very well be able to shoot Superman if there is still a role for him. Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire) and Edgar Ramirez (Wrath of The Titans, Carlos, Domino) have both been linked to villainous roles. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Charlize Theron leave the production as well as her commitments to Prometheus might keep her busy. There had been talk that there would be two "Alien prequels".

Michael Shannon In Talks For Villain Role In Superman

Deadline reports that Michael Shannon is in talks for the unnamed villain in Zack Snyder's Superman. Shannon is best known for his role as a prohibition officer in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. He also earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Revolutionary Road.

Kevin Costner Is Officially Pa Kent In Superman: Man of Steel

Warner Bros. has officially announced that Kevin Costner will play Jonathan "Pa" Kent the adopted father of Clark Kent in Zack Snyder's Superman. Costner is third cast member that has joined the superhero reboot. Diane Lane will play his wife Ma Kent and Henry Cavill as Clark/Superman.

Diane Lane Will Play Martha Kent In Zack Snyder's Superman

Deadline has the official press release from Warner Bros. that Diane Lane has been cast as Superman's adopted mother Martha Kent. Lane is the second officially announced cast member with Henry Cavill set in the lead. Kevin Costner has been rumored for the role of Pa Kent.

Viggo Mortensen Could Play The Villain In Superman

HeatVision reports that Viggo Mortensen is a person of interest to play the villain in Zack Snyder's Superman. Viggo is currently in talks to join Snow White & The Huntsman but that deal hasn't been signed just yet. I'll be curious to see if Christopher Nolan and Snyder are able to win him over to take the role. Vision believes the role is of General Zod famously played by Terrence Stamp in Superman II. Henry Cavill is the soul actor that has been cast so far but it's expected as the summer gets closer we'll be hearing more official news.

Kevin Costner To Join Superman?

Deadline revealed this morning that Kevin Costner could join Zack Snyder's Superman. Now LatinoReview is claiming the role is Jonathan Kent the adopted father of Clark Kent. There is no confirmation that this is for sure but I could see Costner in the small part.

RUMOR: Eve, Pike & Kruger Up For Kryptoian Villain Ursa?

LatinoReview is claiming to have found out who the unknown Superman role actresses Alice Eve, Rosamund Pike and Diane Kruger are testing for. It's General Zod's right-hand lady Ursa who was featured as one of three Kryptoian villains in Superman II.

If true this means that Zod very well could be a villain in the film. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Joe Manganiello in the role of bruiser Non. I'd rather see a Krytoian war on Earth instead of Lex Luthor being the villain for the umpteenth time. There have also been rumblings of Doomsday being the film's big baddie.

Alice Eve, Rosamund Pike & Diane Kruger Up For Unknown Superman Role

Variety reports that Alice Eve, Rosamund Pike and Diane Kruger (Troy, Inglourious Basterds) are up for a major female role in Zack Snyder's Superman. Alice Eve has tested for Captain America and landed the Emma Frost role in X-Men First Class before quitting over the limited part. Pike also had been linked to the Frost role but ultimately didn't get it. The kicker is that they say the role is not for Lois Lane. Surprisingly enough there aren't many female roles in the world of Superman. I expect that it could be Lana Lane, Kara Kent (Supergirl) or Lara (Clark's Kryptonian mother). More than likely the latter of the three as a brief scene of Clark's origin made into a credit montage is very possible.

Mila Kunis Also Involved With Superman Auditions?

NYDailyNews reports that Kristen Stewart isn't Lois Lane material as she didn't impress director Zack Snyder with her audition. Something I had assumed/hoped would happen when her name crept into the Superman rumors.

They briefly mention Mila Kunis as another possible actress in the running. Kunis has grown as an actress and has had impressive performances in films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Most notable her role in Black Swan which earned her the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the Venice Film Festival. I expect that there might be high pedigree to the supporting cast similar to Nolan's Batman films.

Olivia Wilde Also In The Running For Lois Lane?

LatinoReview is reporting that Olivia Wilde has tested for the role of Lois Lane in Zack Snyder's Superman. Yet another actress in a growing list of rumored hopefuls which includes Malin Akerman, Kristen Stewart, Dianna Agron, Jessica Biel, Rachel McAdams, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kristen Bell.

Olivia is becoming a great addition to large scale blockbusters proven first with her performance in Tron Legacy. Wilde's character being the highlight of the entire film and is one of the reasons Disney could move forward with Tron 3. She's also starring alongside Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford in Jon Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens this summer. I wouldn't doubt that she's being highly considered for the role.