Last month, we learned that at least during a portion of director Zack Snyder‘s forthcoming Superman reboot, Michael Shannon‘s General Zod will be sporting a CG costume. We also brought you some behind the scenes images of Shannon in Zod’s blacked out version of Henry Cavill‘s Supersuit that he will seemingly be wearing during other portions of Man of Steel.
In a recent interview with the L.A. Times, Michael Shannon revealed that we will see him acting “on another planet” in Man of Steel, which we will presume is confirmation that we will see the planet of Krypton (prior to its demise) in the film.
“[Man of Steel is] unlike anything I’ve ever done. It’s massive sets. It’s literally another world. It’s the first time I’ve acted on another planet. … As much green screen as there is and I’m sure will be, they’re actually building a lot of the sets as well. I had thought it was just going to be green screens everywhere and we would just be pretending everything. There’s quite a bit of detail they’re building and putting into it. It’s very helpful. The less green screen, the better — I don’t think you’d be able to find an actor on Earth who wouldn’t have that sentiment.”
Shannon also revealed that the “challenge” of following in the footsteps of original Zod, Terence Stamp is part of what drew him to playing General Zod.
“This is one of the biggest stories of all time: the Superman story. Its prevalence is enormous. And I remember watching the original films — the [Richard] Donner films, and Terence Stamp in the role [of Zod], and the three Kryptonians — it scared the crap out of me. It really left an impression on me. Someone asking me to follow in those footsteps seemed like the highest kind of challenge you could have as an actor. And I always like to be challenged.”
Shannon also recently told TheDailyBeast,
“I’ve seen Terrence’s interpretation and I loved it. It’s iconic and it’s intimidating,” said Shannon. “It requires a lot of imagination, since it’s not an everyday character or someone you’d run into on the street. I have to figure out what it means, the whole notion of being a general. I went out and got Ulysses S. Grant’s memoirs just to read about the life of a general and see what he thought about and what that experience was like, because to me, that’s a key component to capturing the character.” Shannon pauses for a moment, and adds, “It’s not enough for me to be in Man of Steel, I want to do something really special with it. It’s not like I’ve won the lottery or something. I’ve got to justify everybody’s wanting me to be involved.”
Synopsis:
In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time. Clark Kent/Kal-El (Cavill) is a young twentysomething journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Transported to Earth years ago from Krypton, an advanced alien planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question – Why am I here? Shaped by the values of his adoptive parents Martha (Lane) and Jonathan Kent (Costner), Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions. But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack. Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as “Superman,” not only to shine as the world’s last beacon of hope but to protect the ones he loves.
Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Amy Adams as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as The Daily Planet’s editor-in-chief, Perry White, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent. Michael Shannon as the villainous General Zod, Antje Traue as Zod’s evil partner, Faora, Julia Ormond as Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s mother, and Russell Crowe as Superman’s father, Jor-El.
Man of Steel is slated to hit theaters on June 14th, 2013.
