‘Jack Ryan’ Second Look: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner and a Helicopter

Yesterday, we got our first look at Chris Pine in the currently shooting 'Jack Ryan.' Jaws dropped around the internet as we learned that Chris Pine will look very much like Chris Pine (on a motorcycle) in the role. It was a slightly underwhelming reveal, but hey, you've got to start somewhere with this whole publicity thing. Today brings us another image from the set and while it doesn't offer too much more, it does offer Kevin Costner, which is enough, really.

Costner is playing the role of CIA agent William Harper, who will recruit and transform the young Ryan into the heroic analyst/action hero featured in classic Tom Clancy stories like 'The Hunt For Red October' and 'Patriot Games.' Heck, in the Tom Clancy universe, Ryan is eventually elected President of the United States, so he can thank Mr. Costner for his big break into the American political labyrinth.

In addition to co-starring in 'Jack Ryan,' Costner is set to appear in director Christopher McQuarrie's adaptation of Clancy's 'Without Remorse,' where he will meet up with the writer's second most popular creation, black-ops agent John Clark. The parallels to Marvel's 'Avengers' plans are obvious: Costner is the Nick Fury of this new Tom Clancy Movie Universe. Since Clancy's characters tend to meet up and crossover in his books, this plan makes perfect sense.

There's also no such thing as too much Kevin Costner. Paramount is wise to recognize this.

'Jack Ryan' is being directed by Kenneth Branagh and is set to open on December 25, 2013.