Michael Shannon Cast as General Zod in Zack Snyder's Superman Reboot
Posted 04.10.11 by reelz
Bad news for those who have placed bets that Viggo Mortensen was going to be the baddie in Zack Snyder's Superman reboot.
Warner Bros. announced Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) has been cast as General Zod, the role that Mortensen was rumored to be up for.
In a statement, Snyder talked about the casting of Shannon and the character of Zod.
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.
Looks like Snyder changed his tune about Zod. In November, the director said Zod was not going to appear in his movie. Zod isn't new to moviegoers. The character appeared in the original Superman and its sequel, played by Terence Stamp.
Shannon joins a cast that includes Harry Cavill, who plays Clark Kent/Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Jonathan and Martha Kent.
Superman: The Man of Steel is being produced by Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, and Snyder's wife, Deborah. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer, co-writer of both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, from an idea conceived by Nolan and Goyer. No start date has been announced as of yet. The movie is slated for a December 2012 release.