Warner Bros. has finally chosen the director to helm the next “Superman” movie, and it’s Snyder. This is probably not the news most people were expecting, especially considering that “Inception” genius Christopher Nolan is overseeing the whole reboot, and Snyder doesn’t seem like he’d be Nolan’s obvious first choice.

Nolan is known for making the thinking person’s blockbusters, going all the way back to “Memento” and running through “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.” Meanwhile, Snyder has always been criticized for delivering plenty of style but little substance. His biggest hit, “300,” was most notable for perfectly aping the panels from Frank Miller’s comic book, while his “Watchmen” was generally seen as neglecting the bigger themes written into the original graphic novel in favor of another glossy super hero pic full of lots of slow-motion fighting.

And his latest movie, “Legend of the Guardians,” pretty much bombed. 

So what does this choice say about “Superman?” It’s hard to say, though the general consensus on Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” was that it underperformed because it was too slow, brooding and talky. So maybe Warner Bros. is determined to go in the other direction, delivering an action-packed, slick Superman film that’s 100% popcorn entertainment.

Hey, as long as Richard Pryor doesn’t show up.

We’ll know sooner rather than later. Word is, the studio has to get a new Superman movie going before the end of the year in order to avoid certain rights reverting to the heirs of the character’s creators.