Actress Kate Bosworth is relieved her new role as Lois Lane in Superman Returns didn't come along earlier - because she wouldn't have been ready for it.

Bosworth, whose first silver screen role came with a minor part in 1998's The Horse Whisperer, is happy her career has taken off slowly, so she has time to take advantage of every opportunity.

She says, "I'm ready for this (Superman). For me, it's a marathon, not a sprint. I want to be able to explore different things and feel out different projects and I don't need it so fast you know."

"I'm just glad this role didn't come earlier. I feel solid in myself now."