Update: While it didn't really merit a news story on its own since it was fairly clearly he was going to take the role, Costner is now officially part of Zack Snyder's Superman cast. Warners issued a statement yesterday confirming the news: :"Jonathan Kent is the only father figure Clark has ever had, the man who was there to help Clark understand what he was meant to do in the world as Superman. Kevin will be able to communicate the quiet strength of this rural American man who raised the greatest superhero of all time."

Now that Zack Snyder and producer Chris Nolan have tracked down Henry Cavill as the man they want sporting Superman’s tights, the filmmakers are looking to fill in some of the other main roles. There’s been plenty of speculation about possible female leads, but now Deadline reports that there is also “heightened interest in Kevin Costner” snagging a key part.

While “heightened interest” has us picturing Meerkats standing on a desert sand mound, the story mentions that Costner – who’ll be back on our screens next month in a small supporting in John Wells’ The Company Men – is seriously being considered.

But for what role? While Deadline didn’t have the details, Latino Review consulted their sources and learned that he’ll apparently be playing Jonathan Kent, Supes’ adoptive human father. It’s not really a shocker, since the web has been abuzz with that idea ever since the original story broke.

And of course, hearing from sources does not equal Costner either being cast or exactly what role he’d play – and the Superman team are unlikely to confirm anything until the contracts are signed and sealed. But it’s certainly a solid idea: Costner exudes the sort of easy American charm that fits well with Pa Kent, and though he’s largely stayed away from blockbusters in recent years, this could be a decent choice for him. Plus, he has experience with strange happenings in corn fields...