Michael Shannon has created hype for his character once again as General Zod returns to the big screens in Ezra Miller’s The Flash. Ever since he first appeared as the character in Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel, he has become a fan-favorite antagonist. Even after having played the character years after he debuted, there is a similar sense of love toward the character.
While there are many actors who take up big roles for how much money they offer, Shannon did not eye this role specifically for the money. The superhero world in particular is one which is on top of the Hollywood industry at the moment and so it pays heftily as well. However, for Shannon, that was just an added bonus.
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Michael Shannon Was Eager To Work With Zack Snyder
Michael Shannon first appeared as General Zod in Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel and will soon be seen reprising the role in Ezra Miller’s Flash. He has received a lot of praise for the role and there has been a constant demand for his character’s return, something that has since been fulfilled.
“It’s always nice to be paid, but it wasn’t the paycheck at all. I had been a fan of [director] Zack [Snyder]’s for a long time, particularly the Watchmen movie. I thought that was probably the best movie, other than maybe the Dark Knight series, that I had seen in the genre of comic book films. I’ve just been intrigued with his visual sensibility, and I was excited to be a piece of his canvas. Also, because it’s Man of Steel.”
The actor confirmed that it was not the money that attracted him to a movie that was as large-scale as this. However, he did state that it was an advantage. What truly brought him into filming Cavill’s flick was none other than Zack Snyder. Shannon had been a fan of the director’s work for quite a long time and to be a part of it had quickly become a dream for him.
Michael Shannon Does Not See General Zod As An Antagonist
Michael Shannon’s vision of General Zod was completely different from what the world perceives him to be. While he is portrayed as a villain throughout the comics as well as the movie, Shannon sees him be otherwise.
“I don’t consider him a bad guy. He’s a general just trying to do his job. Ask any general what their purpose in life is and it’s to defend whatever people they happened to be aligned with. He’s aligned with Krypton. It’s his mission, plain and simple.”
According to him, General Zod was nothing but what his name told him to be, a general. He was only fighting to protect his people. In his perception, Zod was there for the Kryptonians, following orders and fighting for the people who gave him so much.
Source: Los Angeles Times
