Kevin Costner joins 'Superman' cast

BURBANK, Calif., March 18 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have announced Hollywood actor Kevin Costner will play Jonathan Kent in their upcoming Superman movie.

"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," director Zack Snyder said in a statement Thursday. "Kevin will be able to communicate the quiet strength of this rural American man who raised the greatest superhero of all time."

Costner will star alongside Diane Lane, who plays his wife, Martha, and the film's star, Henry Cavill, who will play the new Clark Kent/Superman.

Costner most recently starred in "The Company Men" in 2010 and is currently in development on the comedy "The One." He won Academy Awards for producing and directing the epic "Dances with Wolves," for which he also garnered a nomination for Best Actor, and has starred in the films "The Untouchables," "No Way Out," "Bull Durham," "Field of Dreams," "JFK," "The Bodyguard," "Wyatt Earp," "Tin Cup" and "Swing Vote."

The as-yet-untitled Superman movie's screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer, based on a story by Goyer and Christopher Nolan. The film is set for release in 2012.