Yesterday, we shared a speculative report about former Saturday Night Live cast member Beck Bennett potentially joining the cast of James Gunn's Superman.
Several hours later, the Hollywood trades confirmed the casting and Gunn has since revealed Bennett's role. As expected, he's playing The Daily Planet's Steve Lombard.
The character was created by Cary Bates and Curt Swan and first appeared in 1973's Superman #264. On the page, Lombard is a sports reporter, and later a sports anchor, for The Daily Planet, the same newspaper where Clark Kent and Lois Lane work.
Known for his brash and often arrogant personality, Lombard is depicted as a former professional football player who brings his jock mentality to the newsroom. He is notorious for playing practical jokes on his colleagues, especially Clark Kent, whom he perceives as a mild-mannered and unassuming reporter.
Despite his antics, Lombard is portrayed as a competent journalist and a character who adds a touch of comic relief to the Superman series.
In various adaptations and reboots (including 2013's Man of Steel where he was played by Michael Kelly), Lombard has been reimagined to fit contemporary settings, but his core traits of being a boisterous and confident sports reporter remain consistent.
Aside from one or two more minor characters, we're guessing this is it for Superman casting. Rumours about the reboot featuring a CG baddie continue doing the rounds online, so only time will tell who voices someone like Mongul, for example.
It was previously reported that Guardians of the Galaxy star Kurt Russell will play Jor-El, though both he and Gunn have denied it.
Superman tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.
David Corenswet is playing the Man of Steel, while Rachel Brosnahan has been tapped to star as Lois Lane.
The cast includes Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
Milly Alcock is also expected to make a cameo appearance as Supergirl before taking flight in her own movie, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
Superman is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.