Corona | Coming Attractions

This is the first piece of marketing for Man of Steel, and it debuted this afternoon on the movie's official Facebook page. The new Superman S design is darker than the one seen on the hero's chest in earlier films, and it also features a slightly different swoosh to the S symbol than before.

Richard Schiff has joined the cast of Man of Steel. He'll play a character named Dr. Hamilton, who may be based on a scientist character that appears in the DC Comics Superman books. That Dr. Hamilton has both assisted and hindered Superman, so it's not clear what side of the fence we can expect Schiff's version to be played.

Schiff starred in seven seasons of The West Wing. He's also appeared in Jurassic Park: The Lost World.

A wily member of the paparazzi photograhed Russell Crowe standing outside the Vancouver movie stage where Man of Steel is now filming. The big reason why we care? Crowe was caught wearing his costume as Jor-El, Superman's Kryptonian father. [Full story]

A last-minute casting change has happened: Ayelet Zurer (Angels & Demons, Munich) has replaced Julia Ormond in the part of Lara, Superman's Kryptonian birth mother. No reason for the replacement was uncovered by the source of the news.

More spy photos showing Henry Cavill in his Superman costume have appeared on the Man of Steel Facebook page. In the photos you see the new Superman costume in full light for the first time, and it confirms earlier reports that the traditional red speedo-like shorts -- his super-undies, if you will -- have been discarded from the costume design in favor of a nearly all-blue one-piece suit.

In another photo we're treated to the first front-on look at Faora, one of the Kryptonian villains. Hers is a black costume that bears some resemblance to the costumes Zod and his crew wore in Superman II, but with the addition of a black cape.

A spy photo showing what may be actor Michael Shannon wearing a motion capture suit was snapped and published on a Facebook fanpage for the movie. Filming is taking place in Plano, Texas, and the crew have been filming scenes that take place on the Kent farm.

The suit is the same kind worn by actors that need to have their physical performance captured and later overlaid with computer made special effects.

Casting calls for extras from the Vancouver Island coastal communities of Nanaimo and Ucluelet have been issued by the production (and first reported online by the Superman Homepage.)

Here's what the call sheet is describing as the movie's plot:

"In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time. Clark Kent/Kal-El (Cavill) is a young twentysomething journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond anyone's imagination. Transported to Earth years ago from Krypton, an advanced alien planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question - Why am I here? Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Costner), Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions. But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack. Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as "Superman," not only to shine as the world's last beacon of hope but to protect the ones he loves."

This latest news story doesn't really offer much more detail about who the movie's villains are, or what crisis the world will face, but what's more interesting is wondering how the seaside Canadian towns factor into the story.

One other fact was revealed: Man of Steel will film in Vancouver (and those two towns) between the dates of September 21, 2011 to January 20, 2012.

Today Warner Bros. released the first photo showing Henry Cavill wearing the Superman costume he'll be wearing in Man of Steel.

The costume has been changed from its last big screen appearance in Superman Returns. The most noticeable change is the size of the S shield emblem on Superman's chest; it's now larger, and with more of a yellow background. The costume also seems to give the appearance of having scales or an armor-like texture. [Full story]

Clark Kent's boss at the Daily Planet has been found and it's Laurence Fishburne. The 50-year-old actor has signed to play Perry White, the editor-in-chief of Metropolis' largest newspaper.

Best known for his role as Morpheus in The Matrix trilogy of movies, Fishburne recently left CSI: Crime Scene Investigation after a two year stint on the program.

Warner Bros. announced today that it has shifted the release date of Man of Steel from December 2012 to summer 2013 -- June 14, 2013, to be exact.

While David Goyer is busy doing a rewrite on the Godzilla screenplay for director Guillermo del Toro, it falls upon writer Kurt Johnstad to perform a quick tune-up to the words. The writer has been working with Zack Snyder on many different projects including a polish on 300. We've also learned that Jonah Nolan (The Dark Knight) also performed a pass on the Man of Steel script before Johnstad's turn.

Harry Lennix has been cast as a general named Swanwick in Man of Steel. Lennix may be best remembered for his role as Commander Lock in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, but he's also had roles on Fox's Dollhouse series as well as the sixth season of 24.

Actor Christopher Meloni is in talks to star in Man of Steel. While no details are out there about what character the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit cast member would play, THR says that Meloni's scenes would involve working opposite Henry Cavill's Superman. Could Meloni be up for the part of Lex Luthor, Superman's main adversary, or perhaps Daily Planet chief Perry White?

Sources inform Deadline that Julia Ormond is the only actress in talks to play Superman's Kryptonian mother, Lara, in the film. An earlier rumor mentioned at the time that Russell Crowe was cast to play Jor-El had his fellow Gladiator co-star Connie Nielsen the main candidate to play Lara. Was Nielsen in the running, did things change or is Ormond a new development in casting?

Ormond made her breakthrough with North American audiences as the unobtainable love interest for Brad Pitt's character in Legends of the Fall. She's also appeared in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and just finished working in My Week with Marilyn.

Michael Shannon has been cast as Zod, the megamanicial Kryptonian villain banished to the Phantom Zone by Superman's father. Additionally, the studio has now confirmed the title of the Superman movie as simply Man of Steel.

"Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don't. Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role," said director Zack Snyder. [Full story]