Future Film News: Viggo Mortensen to Join 'Superman' Cast

The only confirmed name for Zack Snyder's "Superman" reboot is Henry Cavill, who will be playing the "Man of Steel" himself. But rumored names keep pouring in as casting kicks into high gear for the next movie starring the iconic superhero. The last name we heard being thrown around was Kevin Costner as Jonathan "Pa" Kent. Now Viggo Mortensen is being added to the list of rumored stars.

For which role, though, is Mortensen being considered? Well, any Superman movie needs a good villain, and we haven't heard much news in terms of bad guys yet. But it doesn't look like the "Lord of the Rings" star will be playing Lex Luthor (not really Viggo's type). Instead, Viggo is rumored to be up for the role of General Zod, who made an appearance in "Superman II".

For those unfamiliar with one of the best superhero movies ever, "Superman II" saw the return of three criminals that Superman's father, Jor-El, banished from Krypton at the beginning of the first movie. Thus, Superman finds himself put up against three Kryptonians as powerful as he: Ursa, Non, and Zod.

It's interesting that Snyder and Nolan (who is on as producer) would jump to Zod and his gang as villains for the first movie in their (hopefully) series of Superman films. However, given that visual wizard Snyder is directing, they're probably looking for villains that will provide the best action.

Lex Luthor is the traditional main villain, but it's hard to have the two fight as Superman could crush Luthor's skull with one hand. Many fans and moviegoers had problems with the lack of good action sequences in in "Superman Returns", so it looks like the creatives are making up for it this time.

Viggo seems like he could fit the role well. We have seen him lead armies before, so we know he has the presence to play a general, and we've seen enough intensity from him in movies like "Eastern Promises" to know that he can probably handle a role as a villain quite well.

As of now, Mortensen is in talks for a leading role in "Snow White and the Huntsman." With both films shooting around the same time, he will likely not be able to do both, so negotiations will have to deteriorate for that project before Mortensen can agree to "Superman: The Man of Steel".