Julia Ormond will play Superman's mother in Man of Steel

It was just a few days ago Russell Crowe's casting was announced for the Superman reboot, Man of Steel.  He will take over the role made famous by Marlon Brando... Superman's biological father, Kal-El.  Today, Julia Ormond cast to play his wife and Superman's mother, Lara.

Ormond is a lovely actress, I love her casting.  She will be a great addition, and play well along side Crowe.  I hope she has a bigger role than the character has had in the past.  You may remember the British actress from such films as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,  Legends of the Fall and more recently, Che: Part One.

You have to give it to director Zack Snyder.  He's putting together an amazing supporting cast for this film, as well as the lead actors he's already cast.  Here's a quick reminder: Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Clark Kent's adoptive parents and Michael Shannon as the villain, General Zod.  Not too shabby! 

I'm sure Christopher Nolan had a lot to do with all these casting choices.  There was something he pointed out over and over when filming Batman Begins.  You need high caliber actors to compliment the hero, to create the world the hero occupies.  Looks like he's stressing that for Man of Steel as well.

Russell Crowe as Superman's dad? Maybe

The title pretty much gives it away, but I'll repeat.  Russell Crowe may play Jor El, Superman's biological father in The Man of Steel.  The movie will of course be directed by Zack Snyder and star Henry Cavill as the caped hero.

The role was originally played by the legendary Marlon Brando in the Richard Donner film, Superman: The Movie.  For those who don't know Superman's origin story (living under a rock much?), here's how it goes:  Jor El is the father or Kal El, an infant boy.  When their home planet of Krypton is threatened, Jor El sends his only son away from harm in a spaceship.  The spaceship lands in Smallville, where Jonathan and Martha Kent adopt the infant, name him Clark, and raise him to be Superman.  Pretty cool right?

This casting news really surprised me.  It's not that I disapprove or anything, I just never really pictured Russell Crowe in a superhero film.  But after thinking about it a bit, I really like it.  I could see him being the commanding figure needed to lead the people of Krypton as well as a sensible father to the future Man of Steel.  Instead of who likes this casting choice, I suppose a better question is, who hates the idea? 

"The Next Three Days" Trailer

You may not remember, but about a year ago, I made a post telling you about the new Paul Haggis film The Next Three Days.

The director of Crash has been up to quite a bit since then, especially this film, which is a remake of the 2008 French film, Pour Elle. The story will revolve around a man that goes to great lengths to get his wife out of a 20-year jail term after she is arrested out of nowhere for a murder she says she didn't commit.

What do you think?

Haggis' "The Next Three Days"

Paul Haggis, writer/director of Crash, 2006's Academy Award winning film, is working on a new film titled "The Next Three Days."

The movie will be a remake of a 2008 French film called Pour Elle. The story will revolve around a man that goes to great lengths to get his wife out of a 20-year jail term after she is arrested out of nowhere for a murder she says she didn't commit. The couple will be played by Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks.

Also casted in the film are Brian Dennehy and rap music's the RZA, who has really been acting quite a bit lately. Keep it here for more details as they arrive.