Zack Snyder has only officially cast three people thus far for his December 2012 reboot of the Superman franchise, aptly titled Superman: The Man of Steel, but the three choices are attention-grabbing and suggest the director is, as many superhero movies do nowadays, following the Nolan Format (like how I capitalize that?) and adding legitimate acting talent to the mix. As a fan of Superman, my fingers are crossed and my prunehole is clinched in desperate hope Snyder’s purveyor of “truth, justice and the American way” will be a rousing success at the box office.

As for the cast, playing the Man of Steel himself is one handsome English chap, best known for his role on Showtime’s The Tudors, named Henry Cavill. Choosing someone from Across the Pond marks Cavill as the first-ever non-American to play Clark Kent/Superman.

The next person cast is the incredibly sexy, 46 year-old Diane Lane (Secretariat). Lane will play the Man of Steel’s adopted Earth mother, Martha Kent. I know, I know, I thought the same thing: WTF? If this is true and they aren’t going to old her up, then Supes’ mom is a serious MILF.

Last but not least, it was announced yesterday that non-MILF and former 1980’s Hollywood hearthrob, Kevin Costner, is slated to play Jonathan Kent, Superman’s Earth papa. Much like Marc Webb has done for The Amazing Spider-Man by casting Martin Sheen and Sally Field as Ben and May Parker, Snyder is adding thespian depth with the additions of Costner and Lane. It might be stacking the deck, but nothing adds pizazz to a movie like an eclectic cast.

As for any new tidbits on the movie, Snyder, interviewed by Collider.com whilst making the rounds for Sucker Punch, had this to say about his forthcoming re-boot (click here for the full interview):

I can’t say if he punches someone in the face, because that is a spoiler. But I will say that Superman, in the film that we are making, is a very physical cat that does some physical shit. I don’t want to say anything about the last film, but I want to seeSuperman kicking some ass.