Alice Eve (She's Out of My League), Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds), and Rosamund Pike (An Education) are reportedly on the short list to play the female lead in the new Superman film opposite Henry Cavill (The Tudors). But get this -- it's not Lois Lane. It has not been revealed what role they're up for, surely thanks to the secrecy producer Christopher Nolan is able to maintain on his projects. It is not specified if Lois will appear in a reduced capacity, but it appears the female lead will not be Ms. Lane as assumed in previous rumors. Shades of Mary Jane Watson's absence in the Spider-Man reboot in favor of Emma Stone's Gwen Stacey.Zack Snyder is directing the superhero reboot from a script by David Goyer, due in December 2012. More after the jump:Variety hears that Warner Bros. doesn't want a name actress for the female lead that would overshadow relative unknown Cavill as Clark Kent. All three actresses are on the verge. Kruger wowed film geeks in Inglourious Basterds. Eve nearly landed the female lead in Captain America that eventually went to Hayley Atwell. And Bond girl Pike narrowly missed the cut for X-Men: First Class. But none have quite crossed the threshhold that would overpower Cavill.
Following the common thread, we should probably start scouring the Superman universe for blondes. I think we can rule out Supergirl (right?). The most likely candidate from the comics seems to be Cat Grant, the gossip columnist at the Daily Planet, said to be introduced as a love interest for Clark Kent. Here's her character bio:
Catherine Grant is a well-known gossip columnist for the Daily Planet and one of Superman's romantic interests. She works at the Planet as a reporter alongside Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Perry White, Jimmy Olsen, Steve Lombard and Ron Troupe. Although she works in Metropolis, she began her career in Los Angeles. Grant is very notable for her controversially sexy and flirty style in the workplace, which has gained her a great deal of infamy and control over weaker willed men. She even dated Kent briefly, although they broke up because he had really been in love with Lois the entire time. [DC Comics Database]
Of course, it could be a new character. Or Lana Lang. Or Chloe from Smallville. Or Supergirl.
Interestingly enough, all the actresses are older than Cavill, which is not the age/gender dynamic I would expect.
According to Variety, the search is on for an unspecified villain, but "no names have been set in stone."