Last month we told you that Kevin Costner (The Company Men, A Little War of Our Own) was being eyed for an undisclosed, key role in director Zack Snyder‘s forthcoming Superman reboot. While his role in the film had not been officially confirmed at the time, sources said that Costner would be portraying Jonathan Kent, adoptive Father of Clark Kent/Superman.

Now, Warner Bros. has in fact confirmed that Kevin Costner has joined the cast and will be playing Jonathan Kent. Check out the official press release below for the details, along with a brief statement by director Zack Snyder.

Official Press Release:

Kevin Costner Cast as Jonathan Kent in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ Upcoming Superman Movie

March 17, 2011

BURBANK, Calif.–Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Kevin Costner will play Jonathan Kent, the father who raised Clark Kent as his own son, in the new Superman movie to be directed by Zack Snyder.

Snyder stated, “Jonathan Kent is the only father figure Clark has ever had, the man who was there to help Clark understand what he was meant to do in the world as Superman. Kevin will be able to communicate the quiet strength of this rural American man who raised the greatest super hero of all time.”

Costner will star alongside Diane Lane, who plays his wife, Martha, and the film’s star, Henry Cavill, who will play the new Clark Kent/Superman.

Costner most recently starred in 2010’s “The Company Men,” and is currently in development on the comedy “The One.” He has won two Academy Awards^®, for producing and directing the epic “Dances with Wolves,” also garnering a nomination for Best Actor. He has also starred in a wide range of memorable films, including “The Untouchables,” “No Way Out,” “Bull Durham,” “Field of Dreams,” “JFK,” “The Bodyguard,” “Wyatt Earp,” “Tin Cup” and “Swing Vote,” to name a few.

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

The new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

The character of Jonathan Kent has been by Glenn Ford in director Richard Donner‘s 1978 film, Superman: The Movie, and most recently by John Schneider in The CW television series, Smallville.

Superman (aka Superman: Man of Steel) is slated to hit theaters in 2012.