Denzel Washington to play Green Lantern in Man of Steel 2

Academy award-winning actor Denzel Washington is reportedly in talks to portray superhero Green Lantern in Man of Steel 2.

The superhero character was portrayed by the 59-year-old actor's Safe House co-star Ryan Reynolds in a previous film, reported Aceshowbiz.

The Man of Steel sequel, with Zack Snyder returning as the director, is due on July 17, 2015.

While Henry Cavill will returns as Superman, Amy Adams reprises her role as Lois Lane, Ben Affleck joins the cast as Batman, and Gal Gadot

is tapped as Wonder Woman.

Reynolds played the superhero role in 2011's Green Lantern, which was panned by critics.

Photograph: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images