Shazam!, the next DC Extended Universe film, is expected to be packed full of nods not just to the DCEU but to the wider history of DC Comics and its respective adaptations. Fittingly, a new casting rumor for the superhero film suggests that Smallville alum John Glover has joined the movie in an as-yet unknown role.

Appearing on the television series Smallville as Lex Luthor's diabolical father Lionel, Glover saw his character progress from antagonist to unlikely ally to the young Clark Kent, protecting the fledgling superhero from the evil machinations of his son.

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While Glover's potential casting would be a nod to Smallville, the actor has another, less prestigious connection to the DC Universe. In 1997, he had a small role as mad scientist Dr. Jason Woodrue in Batman and Robin, in which he created the villains Poison Ivy and Bane before meeting his untimely end with a venomous kiss.

Arriving on April 5, 2019, director David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! stars Asher Angel as Billy Batson, Zachary Levi as Shazam, Mark Strong as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, Djimon Hounsou as the ancient wizard Shazam, Grace Fulton as Mary Bromfield, Jack Dylan Grazer as Frederick “Freddy” Freeman, Ian Chen as Eugene Choi, Jovan Armand as Pedro Peña, Faithe Herman as Darla Dudley, Cooper Andrews as Victor Vásquez and Marta Milans as Rosa Vásquez.

(via Revenge of the Fans)