It seems uber hot Christopher Meloni,has landed on his feet by landing a part in Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot, and will be adding his steely blue-eyed glare to Man of Steel, although it hasn’t been disclosed exactly what part he will play.

Meloni left television’s “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” after starring for twelve seasons as Detective Elliott Stabler. Contract negotiations were said to have broken down when NBC called his bluff over a salary increase.

It was just two years ago that the network threatened to replace both Meloni and his costar Mariska Hargitay when they haggled over money. Fortunately they came to terms and both actors were signed to return with salary bumps. This time around all parties involved seem to have decided that a change would be a good thing.

Supposedly the show is being retooled and in addition to recasting the male lead, they will add a second female detective. Rumors are that Jennifer Love Hewitt is being considered. (*lalalalalalala I can’t heaaaar youuuuu*)

Back to one of our favorite tattooed tv hunks: it’s said that Meloni wants to break out of his tough guy cop persona.  I’d be happy if he continued to play ‘hard men’. (yeah I said it) I first noticed him in HBO’s “Oz”. If you haven’t seen it, trust me, he was one dead sexy sick twist. He was hilarious in Wet Hot American Summer and appeared in both Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanemo Bay,  so he can do comedy, but the whispers say he’ll segue into Snyder’s Man of Steel to play a tough guy general, although it will not be the infamous General Zod. This is still just informed conjecture at this point.

In any case, Meloni will join a cast that includes  Henry Cavill as Superman,  Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Russell Crowe and Julia Ormond. Man of Steel is scheduled for a December 2012 release.

Photo: Starbux/WENN