Written By Kieran Bugg
Michael Shannon didn’t want to offend Zack Snyder with his DC return in The Flash. Snyder directed Michael Shannon as the Kryptonian villain General Zod in 2013’s Man of Steel. He returns to the role in The Flash. However, Michael Shannon revealed that he asked for Snyder’s blessing before signing on. It’s a sign of respect but also Michael Shannon’s classy nature. After all, he didn’t need to do it; rather, he simply wanted to.
With the destruction of Metropolis and the controversial neck-break scene, Man of Steel proved to be somewhat controversial. On the contrary, that was a decade ago. Superhero entertainment has evolved since then. Thanks to streaming series such as Daredevil and The Boys, the general public is used to darker, violent comic-book adaptations now. Some, such as the R-rated Deadpool franchise and Logan, were incredibly brutal.
Nonetheless, there’s no denying that Henry Cavill and Michael Shannon were perfectly cast as Superman and Zod respectively. Both gave stellar performances as the hero and villain, bringing a believable dynamic to their rivalry. Moreover, the impact of their climactic battle helped shape future DCEU entries like Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice.
When it was revealed that Michael Shannon would be reprising his role as Zod in The Flash, fans were excited. With the movie’s plot centering around time travel and the multiverse, Michael Shannon’s return as Zod is easily explained. Furthermore, it looks like he’ll once again be a major villain of a DC movie.
Michael Shannon Didn’t Want Flash Role To Be Offensive To Zack Snyder
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
Still, Michael Shannon revealed that he was initially hesitant to reprise the role. This stems from Warner Bros.’ poor treatment of Snyder in recent years.
Michael Shannon explained:
I was hesitant because I wasn’t really happy about what happened to Zack Snyder in that whole deal, and I really love Zack. The fact that Zack asked me to play that part to begin with – that’s probably the biggest surprise of my career. It almost felt like a practical joke. I was like, ‘You’re kidding me, right?’
In addition, he further revealed that before he accepted the job, he asked Snyder for his approval.
Recalling his conversation with The Flash director Andy Muschietti, Shannon said:
But I talked to Andy about it, and I liked Andy, and I said, ‘Andy, look – I just want to get Zack’s blessing on this because it just doesn’t feel right without that.’ And Zack, to his credit, was very understanding. He gave me his blessing, and I went to do it.
No surprise here as all who’ve worked with Snyder have nothing but praise for the filmmaker.
Zod debuted in Adventure Comics No. 283 in 1961. Writer Robert Bernstein co-created him with artist George Papp. But Zod’s popularity didn’t blossom until Terence Stamp’s indelible portrayal in Christopher Reeve’s initial two Superman movies.
Stamp’s line, “Kneel before Zod,” in Superman II turned into an iconic demand in pop culture. In fact, it’s among the most memorable quotes in ’80s films.
Snyder triggered older fans when Superman (Henry Cavill) ruthlessly killed Zod in Man of Steel. It’s likely Snyder was paying homage to writer/artist John Byrne from Superman No. 22 in 1988. In that tale (arguably among Superman’s all-time best) Zod and his fellow evil Kryptonians Quex-Ul and Zaora wipe out an entire pocket Earth. Superman removes their powers with Gold Kryptonite. Knowing what they’re capable of doing, Superman takes it seriously when they vow to repeat themselves on his Earth.
Michael Shannon Didn’t Want Flash Role To Be Offensive To Zack Snyder
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
Thus, Superman kills Zod and his partners by bathing them in Green Kryptonite. Although not as graphic as what Snyder did, the outcome was the same. There was no social media at the time, though. No place for keyboard warriors to quickly voice their outrage.
Then again, that was also after the vigilante makeover of superhero comics by Alan Moore and Frank Miller.
In a way readers expected Superman to do that.
With no Superman in this new timeline, it’s up to Supergirl, Batman and the Flash to stop Zod this time.