Bryan Singer has done it again. First he nabbed Kevin Spacey to play super villain Lex Luthor for his upcoming Superman Returns. Now he’s captured one of the greatest actors ever to play Superman’s father Jor-El, a role that was originally played by Marlon Brando in Richard Donner’s original film. So who is to take on the mantle laid down by Brando?

How about... Marlon Brando.

That’s right, according to Latino Review Bryan Singer intends to have the deceased actor reprise his role as Superman’s father, but not through CGI techniques. Singer intends to use stock footage of Brando filmed for Donner’s 1978 version to create the role for the 2006 version. Singer claims there is plenty of footage filmed, but not used, including scenes where Brando interacted with Christopher Reeves, allowing Brando to be seen in the same scene as Brandon Routh, the newest actor to don the red and blue tights.

This is certainly better news that the original rumors that Singer was going to steal Patrick Stewart away from X-Men 3 for the paternal figure (he’s already gotten James Marsden, although his filming should be done in time to join X3). I don’t know that I agree with using a deceased actor in a role though. I didn’t agree with it for Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, and I don’t agree with it here. Hopefully the Brando estate will put a halt to it, but until then here’s hoping Singer can at least do this tastefully... at least he'll manage getting Brando to remember his lines.