'Man of Steel' plot synopsis revealed, doesn't exactly earn points for originality

After a lengthy small-screen career, thanks to the CW's sudsy Smallville and the whole first-major-superhero-movie title with 1977's Christopher Reeve box office hit, it's hard to imagine there are many people who aren't at least vaguely familiar with Superman's origins.

Maybe that's why critics seem to be somewhat unimpressed by the official plot synopsis of Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel.

Die-hard Clark Kent fans and DC Comics aficionados already had their doubts when the Watchmen helmer was given the reigns to the beloved other-worldly man in tights, and a less-than-novel plot for Man of Steel isn't quelling any haters.

According to Superman Homepage, a recent casting call gives insight into the epic venture, but it's not a whole lot that hasn't been seen before.

The details mention Superman's farm-boy journalist alter-ego, home planet Krypton, human adoptive parents Martha and Jonathan, and clashing "difficult decisions" regarding his superheroic and ordinary lives

Basically, the same old discovering-his-powers-and-having-to-save-the-world Superman origin story fans have seen multiple times before.

Collider criticized the release, saying it makes the plot sound "predictable," but The Huffington Post noted that producer Christopher Nolan managed to make a huge hit out of the Batman franchise just when it seemed like the Caped Crusader had out-stayed his welcome, so perhaps he can add his dark, psychologically thrilling touch to Man of Steel as well.

Superman is basically a pop culture icon, so it's already going to be difficult for Snyder to please everyone. A star-studded cast is joining leading man Henry Cavill, including Amy Adams as reporter love interest Lois Lane, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as the aforementioned Kents and Michael Shannon as baddie General Zod, so the project looks to be shaping up to be nothing if not ambitious, even if plot twists leave something to be desired.

Man of Steel is currently shooting in Vancouver and is aiming for a December 2012 release.

Even with an apparent lack of originality, could this Superman flick be a successful boost for the superhero franchise?