Deadline revealed last month that Michael Shannon was in Zack Snyder’s sights for the villain role in the Superman film Man of Steel. Warner Bros just announced he got the job. Here’s the official announcement:
BURBANK, CA, April 10, 2011 – Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Michael Shannon will star in the role of General Zod in director Zack Snyder’s new Superman film, titled “Man of Steel.”
Snyder stated, “Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don’t. Michael is a powerful actor who can project both the intelligence and the malice of the character, making him perfect for the role.”
As General Zod, Shannon will go toe-to-toe with Henry Cavill, who plays the new Clark Kent/Superman in the film. The main cast also includes Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Martha and Jonathan Kent.
Michael Shannon was honored with an Academy Award® nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Shannon was most recently seen in the award-winning HBO drama series “Boardwalk Empire,” from executive producer Martin Scorsese. He will next be seen in Sony Pictures Classics’, “Take Shelter,” from director/writer Jeff Nichols.
Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.
“Man of Steel” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
NOW I’ll actually see it.
I’m assuming he’ll be bulking up significantly for the role? His general look and talent are perfect though.
Technically-speaking (well, comic book technically-speaking), is there any need for him to bulk up? As a Kryptonian on Earth under our sun, the character will have his powers regardless of whether he has big muscles or not. The character is a general. How many generals are actually muscular? In most places they’re actually quite pudgy.
As long as they dress him in fierce duds, Shannon will be fine as is.
“is there any need for him to bulk up?”
Only if he is not to look ridiculous in his slugfest scenes. But I gather Warner doesn’t care about how ridiculous this film seems. It’s a slapped together quickie done for legal purposes only.
General Zod?
C’mon- haven’t we been down this road before?
What’s wrong with Brainiac?
~
Coat
How old are you people complaining about Zod? Zod was used thirty years ago. Thirty years ago, and he was used once in the films as a main villain. Heat Ledger played the joker twenty years after Jack and I don’t remember people going, the Joker again. lol.
Uh thats because we got the first Batman Begins movie with villians we had never seen before!. Plus, Ledger is known as Joker, Nicholson just was Nicholson with make up
I would like to see Braniac too – that could lead to the introduction of Kandor in the movies, and be a decent way to introduce Supergirl.
I was thinking the same thing. If this is just going to be a retelling of Superman II without Lex Luthor then I’ll wait for the DVD. If this is successful, and I’m not exactly sold on Henry Cavill, then maybe they’ll delve into other villains like Brainiac or Doomsday.
Seriously?
If Brainiac’s not the villain, the movie sucks?
Well I say if Mr. Mxyzptlk isn’t the villain, the movie sucks. So there.
Exactly. I like this actor, but they are now repeating the same storylines.
He’s a wonderful actor. I wonder what this means for his role in Boardwalk Empire? Won’t he have to take some time off from that show.
Brilliant casting. Lazy and uninspired choice of character.
Wow! A Supeerman movie! I can’t wait.
So far so good. . .just hoping that the current Director of this film is up to the challenge. . .given how good Thor is looking perhaps if Nolan Inc and Warner Bros decides to replace – maybe Kenneth B should be added to the rinse cycle now
Good pick. Shannon is a hell of an actor. Snyder…not great. But fingers crossed for summer of 12′?
This is a re-imagining. Nothing wrong with a new outstanding storyline with one of Superman’s greatest villains. Michael Shannon is an exceptional casting decision in addition to Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Kevin Costner. Can’t wait to see who’s next!
Why would he need to “bulk up”?
Kryptonians get their power from Earth’s yellow sun… not HGH.
Who? Cavill? Probably because he is a balding shrimp, who would be laughed out of theaters right now. But don’t worry. Snyder has him on an intense bulking up regimen. Five months from now, he’ll look completely different.
Cavill, balding? You have a strange definition of what constitutes hair loss.
If it’s going to be Zod, I bet Jason Statham could’ve been awesome in the role.
Brock Lesnar as Non??
Uma Thurman as Ursa??
(Uma, Ursa…Uma, Ursa…get it?? Get it?? You don’t get it.)
I agree, Statham could have done Zod justice, but he lacks the acting cred, which is Snyder & co. wouldn’t have gone for it
and Uma could a great Ursa, she was married to a Brit (Gary Oldman) for at least 2 years, and she also played Emma Peel, so she can convincingly sound English
I think Snyder can make an awesome movie, as long as he is not writing it like he did Sucker Punch
Yes, the actors have to be good enough to fend for themselves, because Snyder is incapable of directing them. The actors have to be savvy enough to know when to ignore Snyder’s instructions to ham it up. They have to protect themselves and their own acting reputations. If they leave it up to him, their acting reputations could end in ruins. So the actors signed have to be real pros.
Looks like nolan has taken full chgarge and is making great casting decisions on this.
NICE.
ZOD?! C’mon, Zack! Of ALL THE BAD GUYS, you pick one we’ve seen in the movies before??? REALLY? I thought the plan was to reinvent… not go down the same damn road over and over… Oh, I’m sorry, “wish a new spin” – I hope Goyer did a hell of a job with that script because we’re going to get the same character we’ve seen in 2 previous Superman movies. I don’t have to tell you, Zack, after Sucker Punch, you’ve got a ton of pressure on you. Since you’re giving us the same character, you’d better bring the noise with your version of The Man of Steel. I’m pulling for ya.
Goyer is one of the bigger worries with this project. Wish they would publicize who is doing the extensive rewrites and overhauling the dialogue. I think that would calm some fears.
Since he’s playing the villain in a Zack Snyder film, I assume he’ll be wearing blackface and be dressed up like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert?
LOL
I loved it when he drunkenly sang, “Sweet Home Alabama” in “8 Mile.”
He plays one helluva scary authoritarian zealot on Boardwalk Empire. Perfect casting.
It’s a positive development. But it doesn’t matter. The movie is screwed. Snyder is still at the helm.
Although I’m one of the few who thinks Zack is a genius after Sucker Punch (in IMAX!), I’m not impressed by this news. Enough with Zod and the eventual “kneel” callback. Give me Brainiac, Metallo, Mongul, Darkseid/New Gods/Kirbyverse, ANYTHING. What’s next, a Lex Luthor land swindle?
Zod? How fucking predictable. YAAAAAWN.
Not again, General Zod boring. I’m sure the actor will be amazing but couldn’t they come up with someone new????
I thought they were going for Metallo or a character we haven’t seen before? Shame….
I’m only confident because Christopher Nolan is involved.
URSA NON next?
Great, a bunch of White actors. Hope a little natural diversity will be thrown in with the supporting roles. Please WB?
Since they’re so intent on reliving the Donner movies over and over and over again, why don’t they just cut out the middle man and re-release a new cut of Superman II with updated FX. I’m not saying that’s a great move; but it would a hell of a lot cheaper while getting the same, lazy result.
I heard Zod only had a small role, and Brainiac was the main villain? Hope that is true, because this movie still doesn’t have any actor capable of selling tickets.
It’s a nice group of B and C listers, but none of them put asses in seats.
It’s Superman, moron. Superman Returns made how many millions and who did it have? Brandon Routh who no one has ever heard of and Kevin Spacey. Superman doesn’t need stars like a Tom Cruise or a Angelina Jolie to get people in the seats. The name Superman alone will get people in the seats
But only to the tune of $400 million, which is about $300 million less than Warner really wants this movie to make. They want it to replace Harry Potter. They would accept Iron Man II numbers maybe. Less than that is a complete fail. Right now, they are relying 100% on the name “Superman” and we already know how much that is worth. This movie still doesn’t have any actor the public gives a damn about.
Uhh B and C listers? Why because they aren’t in the tabloids? What is this world coming to??
Some great actors, hope they cast some more of what you call “B and C” listers and we see some new interesting faces. This is what made the old supermen as well as other comic book movies feel more real.
While I am VERY excited about the casting in this movie … and this is a very good casting decision … I have some real concern about the Director.
Fleming/Deadline: Congratulations on your scoop. LOL @ the idiots who were spreading Daniel Day-Lewis rumors. AS IF. LOL. Frankly, I never thought Viggo Mortensen was serious either. That dude is too precious about his acting rep. No way was he going to risk it on Snyder. Viggio wants himself an Oscar and to be known as a Serious Actor. No way he risks that on Snyder’s cheese and ham fest.