"Almost a month after Deadline told you that Kevin Costner was in early talks for a lead role in Superman: Man of Steel, I hear that he has closed a deal to play Jonathan Kent, the adopted father of Clark Kent. Costner will join Henry Cavill, who is playing the title role, and Diane Lane, who is playing Martha Kent, his adopted mother," offers the report."
Of course speculation will intensify over which villain(s) will be utilized and what actors will play them. Deadline rules out the rumored Viggo Mortensen as Zod given his expected signing on to Snow White and the Huntsman, which will star Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron.
UPDATE: Director Zack Snyder has offered up this comment: "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. Kevin will be able to communicate the quiet strength of this rural American man who raised the greatest superhero of all time."