It’d be enough for most people to have Kevin Costner as their daddy, but Clark Kent wants Russell Crowe as well! While Costner has been signed on for a while to play Superman’s adoptive human dad in Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel, Variety reports that they may have now found his biological father in the shape in Crowe.
Sean Penn and Clive Owen were apparently also contenders for the part of Jor-El, but Russell Crowe ultimately won though. Jor-El is the biological father of Clark Kent/Superman (Henry Cavill), a role previously portrayed by Marlon Brando in Richard Donner’s original Superman in 1978. Warner Bros. had no comment on Russell Crowe’s casting, and it isn’t known how far along the actor and studio are into the negotiations.
It is believed that the last major role left to be cast in Man of Steel is Superman’s biological mother, Lara. It isn’t known how large the Jor-El or Lara roles will be in Man of Steel. Latino Review suggest that part may be going to Crowe’s Gladiator co-star, Connie Nielsen, who apparently been offered the part, while Harry Lennix is also in talks for a supporting role.
Zack Snyder is directing from a screenplay by David S. Goyer, who developed the story with Christopher Nolan. Production is slated to begin next month.