A little-known New York theatre actor is reportedly in the frame for what could become a key role in the Warner Brothers DC Comics universe.

Ray Fisher is claimed to be in talks for the role of Cyborg in Batman Vs Superman - and will apparently play young football star Victor Stone, whose life is derailed as he becomes a technologically augmented superhero.

The Hollywood Reporter claims that Fisher - best-known for playing boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a stage show called Fetch Clay, Make Man - will only have a small role in the Man Of Steel sequel - but that it could lead to bigger things in later DC-based projects.

The site wrote: "Stone/Cyborg was for decades a member of the Teen Titans, a group of heroes that included the sidekicks of adult heroes such as Robin, Wonder Girl and Kid Flash.

"The character became retrofitted to be a member of the Justice League in 2011, when DC Entertainment relaunched its comic book line as the New 52."

The Man Of Steel sequel - still known by its working title Batman Vs Superman - will also star Henry Cavill as Superman, Ben Affleck as Batman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

Director Zack Snyder recently expanded on why Superman is facing Batman.