Back in February, we brought you a report about Viggo Mortensen (A Dangerous Method) being at the top of Warner Bros. list to portray the villainous ‘General Zod’ in director Zack Snyder‘s (Sucker Punch) hotly anticipated Superman reboot being produced by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Rises).
Shortly thereafter, we brought you the rumor about Snyder and the producers of the reboot having their sights set on Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood, Nine) for an unspecified role in the movie. Some speculated then that Day-Lewis could play Zod if scheduling conflicts prohibited Viggo Mortensen from joining the cast, and others thought they may be looking at the actor to play Jor-El, Superman‘s Kryptonian father.
Only a few weeks after that, we brought you the news that Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire, Machine Gun Preacher) was in contention for an unknown villainous role in the film.
Now, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have officially announced that Michael Shannon has indeed been cast in the film, which has now been officially titled “Man of Steel“, and the actor will be playing the villainous General Zod, who has been portrayed by Terence Stamp in Superman: The Movie, as well as Superman II, and appeared as a younger Major Zod portrayed by Callum Blue in The CW television series Smallville.
I guess if the previous rumors about Daniel Day-Lewis hold any truth, we can still hope that he will be cast as Jor-El, Superman‘s Kryptonian father.
Michael Shannon to Star as General Zod in “Man of Steel” From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures
BURBANK, Calif. 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.
Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner is slated to hit theaters in 2012.
