Back in February, the internet nearly exploded when it was reported that director Zack Snyder was looking at Kevin Costner to play Superman's earthly father, Jonathan Kent. At that time it was nothing more than speculation, but fans largely agreed that it was inspired casting, Costner having spent much of his career building the necessary gravitas to play that type of character. Now it's all but 100% official.

Deadline is reporting that a deal with Kevin Costner to play Pa Kent in Snyder's Superman reboot has been closed. The actor is now the third signed on to the film, the first being Henry Cavill, who landed the lead role back in late January, and Diane Lane, who will play Costner's wife, Martha Kent, in the movie. Based on a screenplay by David S. Goyer and produced by Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas, the project is scheduled to go into production this summer and is targeting a December 2012 release date.

In the month that has passed this this rumor was first started my opinion about this casting has not changed: I think it's fantastic. While I still believe that he could have made a great Perry White as well, I can already imagine Costner and Cavill sitting down together on a porch in Smallville discussing destiny. This is a win.