On 4th October 2010 history was made, Warner Bros. finally got off of their gold-plated asses and signed a director to the long awaited (and untitled) Superman Project. It was not long before that man was revealed to be “300” and “Watchmen” director, Zack Snyder.

From there it didn’t take long for rumour and speculation surrounding story and villain to begin. A story appeared on The Hollywood Reporter that General Zod would be the villain of choice for the project.

Well it seems that this too, was simply speculation on THR’s part. Speaking to Badtaste.it, Snyder confirmed that, for now at least, General Zod’s appearance is just a rumour.

Speaking to French website, filmsactu.com, Snyder also confirmed that the film will focus on the early days of the Man of Steel:

What’s Playing is reporting a couple interesting rumors regarding Zack Snyder’s Superman: The Man of Steel.

WP reports that while Man of Steel will feature Superman, the primary focus is on Clark Kent. As per What’s Playing, “A character breakdown issued to casting agencies this week says that the plot involves Clark getting involved in some sort of battle between two tribes in West Africa. When he is compelled to use his secret powers to intervene in a crisis in West Africa, Clark returns to Smallville to learn more about his origins and the hero he was born to be.”

Yeah, who wants to see Superman fighting Lex Luthor or Brainiac when you can see how lifting heavy things will somehow solve generations of violent power struggles. Is this the “modern context” producer Christopher Nolan and screenwriter David Goyer were talking about?

In addition to the Zwick-ian sounding plot (white guy saves/leads helpless minority), it also sounds very small potatoes when considering what Superman is capable of doing on the big screen (read larger-than-life battles). The idea of turning the focus to a mopey Clark Kent who struggles to understand his origins would be interesting if A) we didn’t already know Superman’s origin story; and B) this wasn’t the premise of Smallville, which has been on the air for ten seasons.

Granted, this is just a rumor, but it jives with an earlier logline about the plot, which read “Clark Kent is a journalist traveling the world trying to decide if he should, in fact, even become Superman.” Snyder has also said that “The film will focus on early days of Superman.” Perhaps, Goyer, Snyder, and Nolan have found a way to make the story work, but this rumored premise doesn’t exactly brim with excitement.

What’s Playing is also reporting that “Anne Hathaway is said to be a contender to play Lois Lane in the film.” She might be, as is probably every other noteworthy, age-appropriate actress in Hollywood. That being said, Hathaway would be a great choice for the role.

Superman: The Man of Steel is currently set for a holiday 2012 release.

That description is the plot to the story "Birthright" and Zack Snyder said himself that the story won't be based off of any particular comment. So yeah... Not true. That's probably just a description they put up to give a feel for the character, kind of like how people auditioning for Superman Returns had to read from the original movie script.

American actor Michael Shannon has been cast as the villain in the upcoming Superman film.

Shannon, who received an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in Revolutionary Road two years ago, will play General Zod opposite British actor Henry Cavill, who is the 'Man of Steel' in the new film.

Amy Adams has been cast as Lois Lane.

The Zod character appeared in two of Christopher Reeve's Superman movies, 1978's Superman and the 1980 sequel Superman II, where Terence Stamp played him. Like Superman, he comes from the planet Krypton.

'Zod is not only one of Superman's most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don't," the Telegraph quoted Zack Snyder, the director of the new film, as saying.

'Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role," he added.

Others signed to the new Superman film include Diane Lane and Kevin Costner, who will play Clark Kent's parents Martha and Jonathan Kent.

One thing has been clear, Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan have been sniffing around a big talent to join the upcoming “Man of Steel” in an important role. Earlier this spring, Daniel Day-Lewis was rumored as being sought for an unspecified part and while that turned out—as expected—not to happen, another major star has landed.

Variety reports that Russell Crowe is in negotiations to play Clark Kent’s biological father, Jor-El, in “Man of Steel.”

Apparently Sean Penn and Clive Owen were also being considered (the latter choice seems odd), but of the three, Crowe is a pretty good selection, with the right frame and presence to do the role that many still associate with Marlon Brando. We’d wager his role will likely be entirely first act/flashback stuff but someone like Crowe certainly sets an anchor for the rest for the movie.

According to the trade, the last major role to be cast is that of Supes’ biological Mom, Lara.

Crowe joins the intriguing cast of Henry Cavill, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon and Antje Traue in the film.

Production gears up next month for “Man of Steel” which is keeping plot details under wraps. The film is expected to arrive in late 2012.

The cast and crew for this is starting to look really good. I've never liked Superman or been a fan of any of the films but this one is actually starting to interest me.

Clive Owen would make a better Zod than than guy they currently have lined up.

Lois Lane and Clark Kent just got their boss: Laurence Fishburne will play Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White in Man of Steel.

White has traditionally been a hard-charging, old fashioned newspaperman, who relies on his ace reporters, Clark and Lois, to get the big scoop.

Jackie Cooper played White in the Christopher Reeve-era Superman films, and Frank Langella took on the role in director Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns in 2006.

The casting resolves the question of what Laurence would be up to following his departure this May from CBS’ long-running CSI after just over two seasons.

The Superman reboot, produced by Christopher Nolan and directed by Zack Snyder, stars Henry Cavill as Clark (a.k.a. Superman), Amy Adams as Lois, Michael Shannon as General Zod, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, and Diane Lane as Martha Kent.

David Goyer (Batman Begins) is penning the script.

Man of Steel is due to begin filming this fall, and is slated for release on June 14, 2013.

First look...
 

OMG....

:eek:

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have provided the first look at the new “Man of Steel”:

http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/...l-1stphoto.jpg

Laurence Fishburne is a horrible choice for Perry White in my opinion. But that picture looks awesome