Filming on Man of Steel, the Superman reboot film, is currently taking place in Plano, IL which is doubling for Smallville in the film.  Thanks to this outdoor filming we have some images and … no.

We saw the first picture of Henry Cavill in the costume early last month, and it didn’t look too bad, the colors were just slightly off, but it didn’t look horrible.  Now we’ve seen some unofficial images which reveal some of the detailing and … what has Zack Snyder done?

Now, in his defense, this looks a little bit like the just released redesign in the comic book series, but not quite.  I never released how important the red briefs were until I saw this, and boy are they needed.

I have to say that Cavill looks amazing, and eerily like Christopher Reeve, but that costume … what in the world were they thinking?  I can even somewhat take the piping, but the oddity of the “S” symbol just makes no sense.

Oh this has left a bad, bad feeling in the pit of my stomach for this project.

Despite the fact that Man of Steel, the Superman reboot film, has been pushed back to a 2013 release date, that hasn’t started the publicity machine from already firing up.

Released last week, but somewhat lost in The Dark Knight Rises photos leaking out, was the first publicity image of Henry Cavill in the Superman costume you see below.  (click it for a much, much larger version)

The film only recently begun production, and the release date was quickly pushed back from 2012, but judging by this first image … what the what?  Still images don’t usually do these types of costumes much justice, but has there ever been anything more rubbery looking?  Yes, I understand he’s an alien, and the concept of whether or not it was made of Kryptonian materials changes from time to time, so you could write it off as an “alien look,” but it still just looks odd.

We’ll just have to see what Zack Snyder has in mind, but as first images ago, this one just makes me nervous.  As for Cavill himself … eh?

It looks like Russell Crowe may be joining the cast of Man of Steel as Superman’s biological father, Jor-El.

The cast of the new Superman film to be directed by Zack Snyder is growing by leaps and bounds.  If the newest rumors are to be believed, Russell Crowe, an actor as famous for being difficult as he is for his talent, may be joining the film as the doomed father who must choose to send his son off into space as his planet explodes around him.  The paperwork is not yet signed for him to take on the part of Jor-El, but apparently it looks pretty definite that this will come together.

Oddly enough it was Marlon Brando who played this role back in the 1970′s film, another actor known for being troublesome to work with.  Apparently it’s a requirement to play this role.

The cast is definitely coming together as we now have Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, Michael Shannon as General Zod, Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman.  Now we just need to get it before the cameras and into the theaters.

Michael Shannon has been cast as the evil Kryptonian General Zod in the upcoming Supermna reboot movie, Man of Steel.

Zack Snyder has been on a bit of a hiring spree as of late when it comes to actors for his upcoming Superman film.  First casting Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, and then following it up with Amy Adams as Lois Lane.  Now Michael Shannon, best known for his work on Boardwalk Empire, has joined on as the well-known criminal from Krypton, General Zod.  “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,” said Snyder.  ”Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role.”

There had been much speculation that General Zod would be in this film because many have felt just pitting Superman against Lex Luthor over and over again was beginning to bore audiences as you couldn’t have any big physical fights.  By pitting Superman against a fellow Kryptonian it will even out the fight and allow punches to be thrown.

In other news today, the title of the film has been shortened from Superman: Man of Steel to simply Man of Steel.  While it’s true the moniker is synonymous with Superman in most people’s minds, there is still a percentage of folks who aren’t familiar with it, and it seems odd to shorten the film title for marketing purposes.  Wouldn’t it really be that horrible to call it Superman: The Man of Steel?

Either way, it looks like the new Superman film is coming together, and it’s getting to sound pretty interesting.

After the third Christopher Nolan Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, get ready to start the whole process over yet again.

Warner Brothers chief Jeff Robinov said in a recent interview that after Nolan’s third film, the Batman franchise will reboot, marking the third film series based around the character. “We have the third Batman, but then we’ll have to reinvent Batman.”  He was then asked if he meant a reboot for the series, he replied, “I do. Chris Nolan and [producing partner and wife] Emma Thomas will be producing it, so it will be a conversation with them about what the next phase is.”

Apparently some of this is hinged on the fact that Warner Brothers has decided to go ahead with a Justice League movie in the summer of 2013, the year after The Dark Knight Rises and Superman: Man of Steel are due for release.  While it is expected Henry Cavill, who was recently cast as Superman, is expected to appear in the team film, it is doubtful Christian Bale will show up as Batman.  With this in mind, it appears that Warner Brothers may use this as the launchpad for yet another series of Bat-films.

I’ve spoken many times about my disdain for reboots of films, but to start discussing a reboot before you even finish the previous series?  I think we’ve set a new record with this one.  I can understand Nolan wanting to take on more of an overseer role as I’m sure there films aren’t easy to make, but why not just continue where he left off?  For that matter, why not just have some standalone stories like the James Bond series?  They could use the same mythos as the current films, but not be entirely reliant upon them.

The issue with rebooting superhero films is that each filmmaker feels they must put their own spin on the origin story, forcing the audience go slog through the same material yet again.  Do we really need to see Superman’s spaceship crash in Kansas yet again?  Do we need to see Peter Parker get bit by the spider?  And for crying out loud, do we really have to go through the deaths of Thomas and Martha Wayne in that alley yet again?  No, we don’t.  When you’re dealing with iconic characters such as these, assume we know the origin, or play it in the background underneath the credits.

To ask  us to pony up the money every so many years to watch the same blasted “This is where it all began story …” is just getting to the point of angering me.  Yes, Batman Begins was a brilliant origin movie, how about we just leave it at that and call it a day?

Superman has found his Lois Lane as Amy Adams has been cast as the intrepid female reporter that has always been by his side.

Back in Jan. Henry Cavill was cast as Clark Kent/Superman in Zack Snyder’s upcoming Superman: Man of Steel film reboot.  While the casting of Superman is always a big deal because of his iconic status, but you can barely ever finish a thought of the last son of Krypton without thinking of Lois Lane at the same time, so her casting selection is almost as important.

Amy Adams is best known for her roles in films such as Julie & Julia, Enchanted and Sunshine Cleaners.  She has shown an ability to play both dramatic and comedic roles, so she should easily be able to play the female journalist who always seems to find herself in dangerous situations.

The film is currently slated for a 2012 release, and is being directed by Zack Snyder.  It’s intriguing that this announcement was made this weekend, the same that his current film Sucker Punch is taking a critical and financial beating.  Considering he is connected to such a high profile project, Warner Brothers is sure to want to shove the memory of the failing film from the memories of the movie going public as quickly as possible.

Seeing as this is the last film of the character to be produced before the rights to the character revert back to the families of the original creators, there is a lot riding on this production, so having your director having a massive flop on his hands as he’s about to go into production can’t be good for morale of those involved.  Announcing a high profile casting such as Amy Adams as your female lead is a good way to help direct the coverage and get people to begin paying attention to other things than what failed.

Personally I think this is the perfect casting for this role and I look forward to seeing her take on the character.

Henry Cavill has been cast as Superman in the new film to be directed by Zack Snyder and produced by Christopher Nolan.

Still simply known as Superman Reboot, the next film centering around the iconic comic book character of Superman has found its Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman.  Henry Cavill is probably best known for playing Charles Brandon in The Tudors (picture in this post from that role), though he has appeared in several films.

Playing this role is tricky to be sure, and it’s hard to judge from one’s previous work how they will do it until you see them in the suit, but I do have to say he has the right “look” for the part.

Next to nothing is known about the plot of this film as of yet, although it is believed to be a complete reboot of the series, meaning that all of the Christopher Reeve films, as well as Superman Returns, will be ignored.

Here’s the full press release that was issued this morning.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Henry Cavill has won the coveted role of Superman, the iconic superhero.

The film will be directed by Zack Snyder, who stated, “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

Cavill recently wrapped production on “The Cold Light of Day” and stars in the upcoming “Immortals,” opening this fall.

Targeted for release in December 2012, the new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.