Michael Shannon is ZOD in Superman: Man of Steel

Wow! What just happened? We’ve been hearing for a while that Viggo Mortensen was up for the role of General Zod and I thought for sure the role would be his when he turned down Snow White and the Huntsman (which is now pursuing Hugh Jackman), but THR dropped a big bombshell when they reported that Michael Shannon would be going up against Henry Cavill’s Superman as the power-hungry Kryptonian.

Warner Bros made the casting decision official on Sunday when they announced the Boardwalk Empire star would be Zod in Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot.

According to Snyder,

“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.”

Zod hasn’t made a big screen appearance since 1980’s Superman II so I don’t really agree with all the Superman fans that are going, “Zod again?” but I hope Shannon is able to capture at least some of Terence Stamp’s presence because just being another Kryptonian isn’t enough; Zod has to be imposing for this reboot to fly.

Snyder has made some bold casting choices with Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Jonathan and Martha Kent, as well as Brit Cavill as the Man of Steel, so I have faith that Shannon is a good choice… but I was really looking forward to seeing Viggo in the role.

Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Lindsay Lohan won’t be Ursa if the info about her being in the movie are true.