LOS ANGELES, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor Denzel Washington is in the running to play villain Lex Luthor in the upcoming "Man of Steel" sequel, "Batman vs. Superman," Inquistr reported.

Warner Bros. has already announced Ben Affleck will play Batman, Henry Cavill will play Superman and Gal Gadot will play Wonder Woman.

Although the movie studio hasn't officially announced Lex Luthor will be featured in the movie, Washington is quietly being courted to play the iconic character, Inquistr said.

The role has been previously played on the big screen by Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey.

Washington, a double Oscar winner, would be the first African-American actor to portray Luthor in a movie.