STATUS When Jude Law reportedly bailed on ''Batman vs. Superman,'' rumors had Hartnett lined up to take his place...until that film was benched indefinitely.
SUPERHERO CRED He battled aliens in ''The Faculty,'' showed superheroic willpower in ''40 Days and 40 Nights,'' and played a tough guy in ''Black Hawk Down.''
PRO Hartnett's a mere 24 years old, and Warner Bros. no doubt likes the idea of a youngster who'd be around for years and years of prequels, sequels, and spin-offs. And, hey! Christopher Reeve was just 25 when he landed ''Superman.''
CON He may be 24, but he looks even younger -- and perhaps more suited to play Clark Kent's youthful reporter pal Jimmy Olsen. Plus, if the script ends up with a Superman in his 30s, Hartnett (who passed as a prep school teen in ''O'' just a few years ago) just ain't the guy.
VERDICT Hartnett told EW.com earlier this year that he yearned to steer clear of spandex-heavy roles. ''The superhero stuff was never really my thing,'' he said. ''I've turned down every superhero [role] I've been offered.'' Still, considering his popularity and box office appeal, producers may want to persuade him to wear the tights.