The comic book Man of Steel might be about to undergo some frightening changes as a result of the DCU reboot, but long term Superman fans might still have something worthwhile to look forward to as pertains to their favorite superhero with Zack Snyder’s upcoming big screen reboot of Superman. Man of Steel (2012), which is being directed by Snyder and is written by David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan (of The Dark Knight (2008) fame), is shaping up to be a potentially phenomenal film cast wise. Some fantastic, relevant, and talented actors are signed up, or in the process of signing up, to star in what many Superman fans (myself included) are hoping is going to be the definitive, and most poignant, version of the Man of Steel on film ever. While some details of the film are still not solidified, especially what the Super-suit is going to look like, the actors chosen thus far appear to be near perfect choices for their given roles, at least in this 25 year Superman fan’s opinion. At the time of the publishing of this article the following have been chosen for the following roles:

Perhaps the least well known actor is the one who is playing Superman/Clark Kent. Henry Cavill, best known for his role as Charles Brandon on the hit television show The Tudors, is a relative newcomer. Many fans of the show I’ve spoken to have nothing but good things to say about him. His acting chops will be most thoroughly checked out by a wide audience, and by Superman fans, when Cavill stars in the upcoming Immortals (2011) as Theseus. Advanced images and trailers for Immortals look good. Hopefully this film will be everything that ancient mythology fans were looking for, but failed to find, in the remake of Clash of The Titans (2010).  One thing that there is no doubt about concerning Cavill as Superman, he completely looks the part, and based on the other casting choices made for this film, Cavill must have the acting talent worthy of being surrounded by so many greats.

The sexiest (in much more than the hubba hubba sense) Lois ever?

Lois Lane, Clark Kent’s long term love interest and soon to be wife-no-longer, is being portrayed by the brilliant Amy Adams. This versatile, thrice Oscar nominated actress has demonstrated her ability to play characters that range from a fairytale princess lost in modern New York in Enchanted (2007) to a mousy nun laboring under a grueling Mother Superior in Doubt (2008) opposite Meryl Streep, (who Adams more than held her own with onscreen). Her acting ability is unquestioned, and she has the perfect combination of good looks, likeability, and mixture of glamour and feistiness to possibly become the greatest characterization of Lois Lane on screen ever. A ginger Lois wouldn’t be too hard on the eyes either…

Pa and Ma Kent

Clark Kent’s moral compasses, his adoptive, Earth-born parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, will be portrayed by Kevin Costner and Diane Lane. Costner, who reputation has fallen some since the glory days of Dances With Wolves (1990) and Field of Dreams (1989), nevertheless carries the emotional and moral weight as an actor necessary to portray the American Mid-West everyman farmer whose loving guidance and support instills in the young Clark the morality that he’ll carry into adulthood, and as a superhero. Diane Lane is the type of actress who easily conveys the gentle, yet strong, feminine strength of character needed to portray Clarks’ mother, who instills in him the type of respect for feminine strength that will later become actualized in his adult love, Lois Lane.

Academy Award winners only get to play Jor-EL

Sporting a strangely out of this world 'do...

Russell Crowe, Oscar winner for Gladiator (2000), and Julia Ormond of Legends of The Fall (1994) fame, are two more talented actors who carry a powerful presence on screen. Chosen to portray the forward thinking, brave, and daring biological parents of Kal-El, Russell Crowe and Julia Ormond’s reputations speak for themselves, and they are excellent choices to portray the best Krypton has to offer.

Definately has the evil thing down...

Much hotter than Ursula...

As for the worst that Krypton has to offer, Michael Shannon of Boardwalk Empire (2010), Revolutionary Road (2008), and World Trade Center (2006) will portray General Zod, and another relative newcomer, Antje Traue, who turned heads, (not just with her beauty but with her physical and action/horror movie presence) in the little known but well directed and acted Pandorum (2009), will portray Zod’s wife and Kryptonian soldier Faora. Seeing these two mix it up with our hero can potentially be a Superman (and action/sci-fi movie) fan’s dream come true under Snyder’s superb directing.

Sam Lane or Perry White? Would have been a good Lex too...

Finally, (again as of publication of this article), long term Law and Order: SVU alumni Christopher Meloni has just recently been mentioned for a role in the film. While reports at this time are sketchy, rumor has it that he will be playing a “General.” Meloni is a veteran television actor with some major tough guy cred. He would seem to be a near perfect fit for the role of Sam Lane, Lois Lane’s father, but just seems to be a bit young. He would also be awesome as Perry White, but again seems a bit young for the role. Whatever his role pans out to be, he’s simply another great casting choice for the film.

This film, barring a total disaster of a costume “update,” might possibly be the greatest on screen rendition of Superman ever as far as the cast is concerned. It’s still very early on, but it will be very hard for Snyder, Nolan, or Goyer to mess Man of Steel up with these actors playing the roles.