Michael Shannon revealed new information about his reprisal of the role of General Zod in The Flash, suggesting a smaller part compared to his initial appearance in Man of Steel, for the upcoming Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios film.
In an interview with Looper, Michael Shannon discussed his return as General Zod in The Flash, explaining that his character has a different portrayal in the film. Shannon stated that although he tried to embody the character, Zod has a smaller role with less focus on his thoughts, as the film centers on Ezra Miller’s character. He also noted that this is typical of multiverse movies, where various elements are blended to create a diverse experience.
Michael Shannon played a pivotal part in the DC Extended Universe and was featured in the franchise’s inaugural film, Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder in 2013. Although the movie garnered mixed reviews from critics, Shannon commended the production and expressed delight in collaborating with Snyder. The film, which had a budget ranging from $200-225 million, was a box office hit, grossing $668 million, and was well-received by viewers.
Zod’s unresolved matters
Shannon, who was nominated for an Academy Award, made a brief appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016 as General Zod’s lifeless body. This character was a crucial component in the Kryptonian mixture that Lex Luthor brewed in the Fortress of Solitude to create Doomsday. Like numerous enthusiasts and analysts, Shannon was not as impressed with Snyder’s sequel, which he acknowledged in a 2016 interview. “Zack is gonna kill me for this — he’s gonna kill me. I watched it once and I fell asleep… I know, I know… I was on an international flight and I was tired… I shouldn’t have been watching it on a plane,” he stated.
Zod’s return in The Flash is a result of the butterfly effect, caused by the titular hero’s time-traveling efforts to prevent his mother’s assassination. The first full-length trailer of the film reveals the evil extraterrestrial in his Kryptonian armor from his Man of Steel debut, as he endeavors to reshape Earth into a new Krypton. With no Superman to halt his plans, he faces opposition from alternative versions of The Flash, the Dark Knight, and Supergirl. According to Funko’s upcoming line of The Flash-inspired Pop! figures, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman may also be involved in the battle. Assisting General Zod, played by Shannon once again, is sub-commander Faora-Ul, portrayed again by Antje Traue, who was incarcerated in the Phantom Zone towards the end of Man of Steel.
Aside from Zod and Faora, Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen will face other challenges in the upcoming movie. The Dark Flash will also be a formidable adversary, with rumors circulating that his suit is constructed from Kryptonian substances, implying that Zod may have a role in his creation, similar to his involvement in the creation of Doomsday.