It’s starting to look pretty likely that when Comic Con starts on Thursday, Little Children star Patrick Wilson will be announced as the guy playing Nite Owl in the upcoming movie adaptation of Watchmen. He’s been one of the top names circulating in the rumor mill for awhile now, but tonight MTV was able to all but confirm his involvement.

The word doesn’t come from Wilson. When asked about the movie he refused to deny he had the part but said, “I’m not a good liar… so I really shouldn’t go into it.” Even though Wilson is smart enough not to talk, Kerry Washington, one of the co-stars on his new movie Lakeview Terrace wasn’t as tight-lipped. She blabbed everything, telling MTV: “It’s what he goes into next!” Whoops, maybe Wilson should have kept quiet on the set.

Just in case that wasn’t enough confirmation for you, Washington goes on and on and on about her friend’s next project. “I keep teasing him... Whenever he eats candy or something, I go: ‘You’re playing a superhero! I don’t think you should be eating pretzels!’”

Except of course, Nite Owl is a paunchy fellow and being rather out of shape is an essential part of what makes the character who he is. In fact, that’s the one thing about Wilson that’s had Watchmen fans worried. The guy is a great actor and he’d be a perfect fit for the character except, well, he’s really really buff. Some have feared this might mean writer Alex Garland had somehow modified the character. Luckily, Kerry is quick to allay those fears. “He is [supposed to be out of shape], yes. That’s what [Wilson] always says. But I always go ‘Yeah, but you still want to be defined!”

This scoop definitely sounds like the real deal. Read more of what Washington had to say over at MTV. You can’t blame Wilson for being excited about the part and talking to his friends about it. It’s an amazing role, and if there’s a true lead in Watchmen’s ensemble story, then Nite Owl is it. Expect some sort of official confirmation soon, but it looks like we have our Nite Owl, and it’s Patrick Wilson.