Christopher Meloni Joins The Cast Of Zack Snyder's Man of Steel

The cast of Zack Snyder's Superman: Man of Steel is just becoming a swarm of awarding winning actors. Now a new name is being added to that swarm, but this name is better associated with the smaller screen; Law and Order: SVU's Christopher Meloni. But the real question is, who exactly is he playing?

While Meloni really could be playing anyone, Deadline reports that Meloni is up for a "major" role in The Man of Steel. The role of the films central villain has already been given to Michael Shannon, and both of Superman "fathers" roles have been taken by Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe, so that really narrows it down to three possibilites.
First, there's the oh so obvious Lex Luthor, who is the first person that comes to everyone's mind when they hear a Man of Steel casting rumor. But Vulture claims otherwise, and drops a hint that Meloni will be playing a general of some sort. In the comics, Superman's love interest Lois Lane, has a father who's a general named Sam Lane. He's basically as mimic of General Ross from The Hulk. But could Meloni be playing Lane?
If not Luthor or Lane, the only other major male role Meloni could be playing is Daily Planet Editor and Chief Perry White. White really isn't a MAJOR role, but he still has a pretty significant part in  the Superman story. White could be considered a general of sorts, but that would really be a stretch. So my vote goes to General Lane.
It's no suprise that Meloni is tackling a main stream role in a film like Man of Steel, since just a month ago he announced his departure from Law and Order: SVU. Meloni already is familiar with roles as DC heroes, especially after recently voicing Hal Jordan in the animated film Green Lantern: First Flight. Meloni is no doubt a talented actor, but is a rough and gritty enough for a role like General Lane or Perry White?

Who do you think Meloni is playing in The Man of Steel? Who would you like to see him play?