And the villain in the new Superman movie is . . .

Zod! Not Lex Luthor, as almost everyone on the planet suspected, but Zod. As in "kneel before Zod!"

The villain was originally portrayed by the great character actor Terance Stamp in Superman and Superman 2, which is my personal favourite of the original films. This time around Zod will be played by Michael Shannon, who is best known for his roles in TV's Boardwalk Empire and the feature films The Runaways and Revolutionary Road.

While not a geek favourite, Shannon is well regarded as an actor, which shows Warner Bros. and director Zack Snyder are going with a super actor instead of a super star for the villain. I'd say that's a smart move.

Shawn and I are less than thrilled with the latest revamp of Superman, even if they go with Zod as the bad guy. Why not continue with the universe Bryan Singer forged in Superman Returns? Or improve on the work already established in Smallville? But we don't run Hollywood.

Oh, and for the record, the upcoming film is called Man of Steel. Not Superman: Man of Steel. Just Man or Steel.

Batman will be rebooted again!?! WTF!?!

That's right. Once Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Rises hits theatres in July 2012 plans are already in place to resurrect The Caped Crusader for a third time in 2013.

But Batman isn't coming back in a solo film. Nolan has already said The Dark Knight Rises is the concluding chapter in his trilogy. The next incarnation of The Dark Knight will be in a Justice League movie.

Warner Bros. tried to gather DC Comics' team of super heroes for a movie adaptation in 2007, but the project fell apart because of the writer's strike. Now they're trying again, with a release planned for 2013. The studio is following the Marvel route, with upcoming Superman and Green Lantern films setting the stage for the main event. The L.A. Times reports that standalone films for The Flash and Wonder Woman are also in the works.

This all sounds a bit sudden to me given that it's 2011. That's a lot of cinematic ground to cover in two years. Word has it Nolan will somehow be involved as a producer, but how much input he can give while finishing The Dark Knight Rises and producing the new Superman remains to be seen.

There's a good chance this will fall through, and the success or failure of Marvel's Avengers movie will likely play a part in how serious DC and Warner Bros. take the project. We will, as always, keep you posted.

And Superman's love interest will be . . .

. . .  Lois Lane. Duh! But who is the actress playing the feisty female reporter who lusts after The Man of Steel while being chummy with Clark Kent, not realizing the two are the same dude?

Director Zack Snyder, who underwhelmed us with Sucker Punch last weekend, has selected Academy Award nominee Amy Adams for the role. At least he's going for talent along with sex appeal.

Adams will star opposite Henry Cavill as Superman/Kent. 

Shawn and I aren't keen on yet another Superman origin story heading to the big screen. I mean, come on, who doesn't know how Superman became Superman? However, with Kevin Costner and Diane Lane cast as Ma and Pa Kent and now Adams added to the mix we'll at least have a decent cast to look forward to.

The new Superman is expected to arrive in theatres some time in 2012.

Movie news day from hell! In 3D

Wow. Most days it's a struggle to find just one thing of interest to grace this glorious blog. Then comes today and BAM! More movie news than one can shake a stick at!

So here's a quick roundup of several items in as close to 140 characters each as we can get, because I know folks like their information quick and to the point! Enjoy:

-Director Darren Aronofsky has dropped out of the Wolverine movie well into preproduction. The film would have shot in Japan and kept Aronofsky away from home for almost a year while he is involved in custody battle with his ex, Rachel Weisz. Too bad for the movie, as Aronofsky is a great talent.

-Liam Neeson almost got replaced on Taken 2 when he told writer/producer Luc Besson he needed a break after starring in almost every second movie made during the last two years. Besson wanted to move ahead on this film this year, and was preparing a list of replacements, when the issue was resolved. Neeson gets back to kicking ass in 2012.

-A couple of weeks back we speculated on what part Kevin Costner will play in the new Superman movie, titled Man of Steel. Director Zack Snyder confirmed Thursday that Costner will be Pa Kent. Ma Kent will be played by Diane Lane. At least the cast will be OK.

-Michael Gough, the actor best known for playing Alfred in Tim Burton's Batman film, has died. He was 94. Gough achieved cult status in horror fan circles for his roles in the Hammer horror films of the 1960s.

Former Robin Hood could have role in new Superman

That's right, Kevin Costner, the Oscar winner who once thrilled audiences as Robin Hood and wooed Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard, is apparently being considered for a role in the new Superman movie.

But who? Could he be shaved bald and cast as Superman's arch rival Lex Luthor? Let's hope not. Not because Costner wouldn't be a good Luthor. I actually think the guy is a decent actor. But everyone who is tired of seeing Superman fight the same villain in every movie raise his or her hand. All of you? Good!

The only promising thing about latest take on the Man of Steel is director Zack Snyder.Otherwise it's hard to care about yet another origin story for a character everyone on planet earth is familiar with.

But back to Costner. Who do you think he should play? Established character or new creation? The film is due out in December 2012.

Henry Cavill is Superman. Henry who!?!

The Internet has been surprisingly quiet today about the news that British actor Henry Cavill, 27, has been cast in Zack Snyder's take on Superman.

But get this, Cavill was actually in the running for the role of Clark Kent/Superman in 2005's Superman Returns before Brandon Routh got the part. And where is Routh now? Nowhere. That's where. Meanwhile, Cavill went on to appear in The Tudors and the movie Hellraiser: Hellworld. Take that, Routh.

In a statement, Snyder, who directed Watchmen, 300 and the upcoming Sucker Punch, said “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honoured to be a part of his return to the big screen.” He added that Cavill is “the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”

Who am I to argue? I have nothing invested in Superman as a character. Shawn's the huge Superman nut, so it will be interesting to hear what he thinks. I'm more curious about who they cast as Lois Lane . . . because Lois Lane is supposed to be hot.

Snyder's Superman is due out . . . I have no idea. 

Billy Zane to Be in the Next Batman or Superman?

There are rumours that Christopher Nolan has approached actor Billy Zane to play a part in either the next Batman movie, or in the next Superman.

Rumours have claimed Zane has met Christopher Nolan, who is directing the sequel to The Dark Knight as well as producing and overseeing a relaunch of the Superman franchise.

The role Zane is rumoured to be in the running for is that of Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor. The 44 year old actor had apparently been linked to the Luthor role even before the Bryan Singer revival.

That's what the Coventry Telegraph is saying. However, there's nothing official and it's all based on rumours as of now. But I invite you to read the article here.

If the rumours turn out to be true, do you think Billy Zane has the chops to play Luthor, that he has what it takes? (well, couldn't be worse than Gene Hackman or Kevin Spacey I guess. In my opinion, Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) is the definitive Lex Luthor). Or worse, could he be in line to play the Riddler (please no)?!?!?

Let me know what you think!