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Being a huge Superman fan, I can honestly say there’s not many actors I’d imagine feeling comfortable taking on the character of General Zod, a role made famous by the great Terence Stamp in SUPERMAN II (1980). But Michael Shannon is so darn good, I’d trust the guy to make cinema gold out of just about anything he touches. He may not be a household name just yet, but after memorable roles in films like REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, THE RUNAWAYS, and the under-appreciated BUG, he’s someone you’ve most likely seen on the big screen at some point. He’s also kicked ass on the HBO hit series BOARDWALK EMPIRE. Today it looks like he’s gonna kick some Kryptonian ass, as Warner Brothers has officially announced Shannon to play General Zod in the upcoming SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL, joining previously announced cast members Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, and Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent. Check out the full press release below. While I’d very much like to see them go in a new direction, and not revisit characters we’ve already seen, the idea of Shannon playing Zod is rather exciting. Is there still a chance Brainiac can play too? And we’ve yet to hear casting on Perry White, or Jimmy Olsen, who kind of have to be in there, right? Tell us your thoughts on Michael Shannon’s casting in the comments 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.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
I was actually hoping for a return of Gerard Butler to the role of the gruff, man’s man as I thought he would have been PERFECT for the role of Zod, but I’m definitely willing to give Shannon a try. To think, he goes from being a druggy informant that is thrown in a trunk and carried around town by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence to going toe-to-toe with Superman. Nice range! =)