Look! Up in the sky! It's Henry Cavill as Superman!
The British Tudors star, 27, will play the Man of Steel (and his human alter ego, Clark Kent) in Zack Snyder's upcoming Superman movie, set for release in December 2012.
"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," said the 300 and Watchmen director in a statement released Sunday. "I also join Warner Bros. 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."
Like Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh before him, Cavill is an under-the-radar leading man for whom the Superhero role represents a big Hollywood break. He'll next appear in Immortals alongside Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto and Kellan Lutz, expected to premiere in November.
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Don't count on it. Speaking to MTV on the red carpet of the Golden Globe awards, Hamm said, "I think that's a young man's game. I think I've been aged out of that one."
Sorry, fan base.
Last fall, as rumors about casting for the next Superman film reboot began to heat up, fans began to clamor for 'Mad Men' star Jon Hamm to take on the role. After all, he had the handsome, rugged good looks, as well as the air of mystery necessary to play the secretive Clark Kent.
Then, when 'The Social Network' star Arnie Hammer said that he heard the studio was looking to cast an actor age 35-40 for the role, speculation hit a fevered pitch. Even Hamm himself played into it, saying, "If the powers that be are thinking that, I'd like them to get in touch with me. Maybe we can discuss it."
But while Hamm worked with 'Superman' director Zack Snyder on the upcoming 'Suckerpunch,' he won't be donning the blue and red tights.
Mad Men star Jon Hamm has laughed off speculation he'll be flying into action as Superman in the superhero's next movie - because he's too old to play the Man of Steel.
Brandon Routh was the last actor to portray the comic book icon on the big screen in 2006's Superman Returns.
The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan has signed on to produce another installment in the blockbuster franchise, and recent rumors suggested Hamm was being courted to take over the role.
But the actor insists he hasn't been approached by movie bosses - and at 39, he's just too old to play the part.
He says, "I certainly haven't been informed of that. They might want to run that by me. I don't know, I think unless Superman's power was the power of being really old... I maybe aged out of that competition."
Look! Up in the sky! It's Henry Cavill as Superman!
