Contrary to yesterday's online rumor, trusted sources have told us that Chris Columbus has NOT been offered the chance to helm the next Superman movie.  Yesterday's rumor was just one of those cases of a titillating story catching fire and igniting intense speculation.  And it wasn't the craziest rumor ever.  Columbus is known for putting together big franchise pictures (the first two Harry Potter movies; Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief).  But Columbus hasn't been offered the opportunity to put together Superman's next adventure on the big screen.

The new Superman movie, tentatively titled The Man of Steel, is being written by David Goyer (Batman Begins) with Christopher Nolan producing.  Hit the jump to learn more about where the film movie currently stands.

At the beginning of June, Nolan said that Goyer had finally cracked the script:

"It was the first time I’ve been able to conceive of how you’d address Superman in a modern context I thought it was a really exciting idea. What you have to remember about Batman and Superman is that what makes them the best superhero characters there are, the most beloved after all this time, is the essence of who they were when they were created, when they were first developed. You can’t move too far away from that."

We also know that Warner Bros. is shooting for a release date sometime between summer 2012 and summer 2013.  It would be interesting if they shot for summer 2012 because that would mean the movie would be released around the same time as Batman 3 (which is currently slated for July 20, 2012).

In any event, Warner Bros. has not offered Columbus the directing gig for the movie.  I'm relieved to learn that because I think a new Superman movie requires a director with more spark and imagination in order to make Supes fly into a rejuvenated franchise.

What are your thoughts on Columbus not getting offered the job?  Do you have a particular director you think would be ideal to helm the project?  Sound off in the comments section.