Variety is reporting Russell Crowe (Gladiator) has joined the film as Jor-El, the biological father of Superman, played by Marlon Brando in Richard Donner‘s 1978 blockbuster classic. The part was also considered by Sean Penn and Clive Owen. WB it still looking for Superman’s biological mother.

Man of Steel is expected to have a late 2012 release with production beginning next month.