"Man of Steel" star Kevin Costner has joined Fox's space drama "Hidden Figures." Variety reports that he will play the head of the space program that launched astronaut John Glenn into orbit in 1962.

Based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book "Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race," the film follows Katherine Johnson, "a brilliant African-American mathematician who, along with her colleagues Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson, served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in U.S. history -- the momentous launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, and his safe return. Glenn flew the Friendship 7 mission in 1962 and became the first American to orbit the Earth."

Taraji P. Henson will play Johnson opposite Octavia Spencer and Costner.

Costner recently starred in "Black or White" with Spencer. He is also known for his roles in "Dances with Wolves," "The Untouchables," "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and more.

"St. Vincent's" Ted Melfi will direct and produce the film alongside Chernin Entertainment and Donna Gigliotti of Levantine Films.