Like a supervillain monologuing their eeevil plan, the team making the new Superman film have clearly decided to drip-feed the information about casting decisions to keep us thinking about it. The latest update? Diane Lane has signed on to play Supes’ adoptive human mother, Martha Kent.

Martha, as you’ll likely know, is the one maternal figure that Clark Kent/Superman has in his life since his birth mother perished along with dad Jor-El and the rest of Krypton. She’s the wife of Jonathan Kent and one of the big guiding influences in the Man of Steel’s life.

“This was a very important piece of casting for me because Martha Kent is the woman whose values helped shape the man we know as Superman,” director Zack Snyder said in a press release. “We are thrilled to have Diane in the role because she can convey the wisdom and the wonder of a woman whose son has powers beyond her imagination.”

Lane’s casting would seem to help the case that Kevin Costner may be in line to play Jonathan, though his involvement remains mostly a rumour. And she certainly shows that this film is going to be a younger Supes, what with Lane being a long way from the white-haired granny-type we've seen before. Henry Cavill is busy getting into shape to slip into the super suit for the titular role and Snyder is scheduled to kick off shooting this August, with the movie set for a December 2012 release.