British actor cast as Superman

NEW YORK -- British actor Henry Cavill is going up, up and away.

Cavill will star as Superman (and, obviously, Clark Kent) in the next installment of the movie franchise, Warner Bros. Pictures has announced.

The film is to be directed by "300" director Zack Snyder, who says in a statement Cavill is "the perfect choice to don the cape and 'S' shield."

No title has been announced for the film, which is intended to reboot the franchise after its latest incarnation fizzled. The 2006 movie "Superman Returns" was directed by Bryan Singer and starred Brandon Routh as the Man of Steel.

Cavill is relatively unknown. He had been considered for the blockbuster roles of Batman, James Bond and even the previous version of Superman. He co-starred on Showtime's "The Tudors."

Warner Bros. is targeting December 2012 for release.