Michael Shannon to play General Zod in “Man of Steel”

Kneel before Michael Shannon: the oscar-nominated actor (“Revolutionary Road”) has been cast as General Zod, the role originated by Terrence Stamp in “Superman 2,” in the Zack Snyder-directed film newly titled “Man of Steel.”

Warner Bros. released the information this weekend and you can find the exact wording after the jump. Shannon joins the cast that inclues Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as George and Martha Kent.

The one quote from the prese release comes from 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.”

Shannon currently stars on the new hit HBO series “Boardwalk Empire” and has had countless supporting roles over the last decade including “Pearl Harbor” and “Vanilla Sky” in 2001. He definitely possessed the combination Snyder talks about in his Oscar-nominated and scene-stealing role in Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road.”

The role should finally get Shannon out from under the Hollywood shadow and land him more (and better) projects down the road.

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MICHAEL SHANNON TO STAR AS GENERAL ZOD IN “MAN OF STEEL” FROM WARNER BROS. PICTURES AND LEGENDARY PICTURES

BURBANK, CA, 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.