Well, we now have a villain cast in the upcoming Superman reboot. We also have an official title. And for no extra charge I’m going to tell all you people who are whining about Zod being in the movie why that’s not the proverbial end of the world. I’d say that’s a pretty good haul for one day.
Now before you all freak out about Zod being in another movie and thinking, “Oh no, it’ll be another Donner movie rehash like Superman Returns!” I want you all to stop for a minute. Breath. Deep breaths. In and out. Think for a second. Why would WB do something like that? Why would they repeat the same damn mistake that they made with their last ridiculously expensive Superman movie? Why would Christopher Nolan and David Goyer, the guys who brought us Batman Begins, do something like that? They know that to revitalize a dying property they have to do something new and exciting. Do you really think that just because Zod is in the movie it will be a rehash of Superman II? Because if you do, there is honestly no helping you. I’m sorry. You have been diagnosed. You are chronically stubborn. Zod has been in more things than Superman II. He just recently one of the featured villains of the massive New Krypton saga in the comics. That Zod was only faintly like the Zod found in the Donner movie. So can we put this to rest all you people who insist on looking at everything in the worst way possible? Please?
So, for the actual news we have Michael Shannon as General Zod. Shannon, who most recently starred in HBO’s hit drama Boardwalk Empire, will be going toe to toe and Kryptonian to Kryptonian against the new Superman Henry Cavill. Zod, for those of you who don’t know about the good general, is a criminal from Krypton who tried to stage a military coup but was defeated by Superman’s daddy Jor-El. Zod and his buddies were exiled into the Phantom Zone, an extra-dimensional prison for Kryptonian bad guys. Good news is that he survived Krypton’s explosion by being stuck in the Zone. Bad news is that nobody was left to open a way out. So when Zod finally does get out and discovers Superman, the son of Jor-El, he figures its time for someone to do a little kneeling. If you want any more info, check out the official WB press release below.
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.
