Michael Shannon Cast as ‘Superman’ Villain General Zod

The “Boardwalk Empire” star joins Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner and Henry Cavill in the blockbuster Warner film

Michael Shannon will play villain General Zod in Warner Bros. upcoming "Superman" remake, "Man of Steel," the studio announced Sunday.

Shannon, who was nominated for an Oscar for supporting actor for his performance in the  Sam Mendes drama "Revolutionary Road," most recently had a central role in the HBO series about the American mafia in the 1920s, "Boardwalk Empire."

He joins Henry Cavill, who plays Superman, and Diane Lane and Kevin Costner, who play the humans who adopt the Man of Steel here on Earth. Amy Adams plays Lois Lane.

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are executive producers.

British actor Terence Stamp played Zod in the 1978 "Superman" and the 1980 "Superman II."

In DC lore, Dru-Zod is a native Kryptonite, who was in charge of the planet's defenses before it blew up.

Arriving on Earth, Zod is enthusiastic about using his superpowers for evil, making Superman a natural enemy, of course.

The movie is scheduled to be released in December, 2012.

Here's the studio's announcement.

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 screenplayis 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.

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