Kevin Costner set for Superman role

Kevin Costner is being lined up for a role in 'Superman: Man of Steel'.

The US actor is reportedly the first choice for director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan to play Clark Kent's adoptive father Jonathan Kent in the new movie.

Kevin is currently working on his World War II directorial project 'A Little War Of Their Own' and will star in 'Learning Italian' later this year.

After much deliberation, it was finally announced last month that British actor Henry Cavill, 27, had been cast in the lead role of Clark and his superhero alter-ego in the 2012 movie.

In a statement, Henry - who follows in the footsteps of Brandon Routh and the late Christopher Reeve by taking on the iconic character - said: "In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognised and revered character of all time, and I am honoured to be a part of his return to the big screen."

An executive at Warner Brothers - the studio who will produce the movie - said of Henry's new role: "He's got an amazing quality. He doesn't look too much like Reeve and Routh but he's big and strong and he has a very modern feel to him. We're really going to try and make Superman as contemporary as possible."

'Superman: Man of Steel' will be released in December 2012.