Zack Snyder (300) is in negotiations to direct Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures’ upcoming Superman re-boot, Warner has confirmed.

Targeted for worldwide release around Christmas 2012, the film will be based on a story by David S Goyer (Batman Begins) and Christopher Nolan and a script by Goyer. Nolan, Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder will produce, with Legendary’s Thomas Tull executive producing.

Snyder most recently directed Warner’s animated Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole and Warner/Legendary’s Watchmen. He is currently in post production on Sucker Punch, another Warner/Legendary project.