We’ll be goddamned if Zack Snyder isn’t doing everything in his power to scrub the ugly, ugly memory of “Sucker Punch” out of our minds. He’s got a world of expectation on his shoulders for the upcoming “Superman” reboot but with each casting announcement, we can’t help but get more and more excited for the film.
Warner Bros. has announced that Michael Shannon has joined the upcoming film — now officially titled “Man Of Steel” (whether it has “Superman” in the title as a prefix remains unclear) — as General Zod. While Snyder himself said last year that early word of Zod being the villain in “Superman” was just a rumor, all signs have been pointing in that direction anyway with Viggo Mortensen being recently courted for the part. The character, a megalomaniac fellow-exile from Superman’s home planet of Krypton, is one of the best-known of the classic adversaries, having been embodied memorably by Terence Stamp in 1980’s “Superman II” (easily the best cinematic depiction of the series so far). But we can’t think of a better bit of inspired casting than Shannon taking on the role.
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.”
With confirmation of the villain, fanboys will surely be wondering if perennial nemesis Lex Luthor also plays a role in the story penned by David S. Goyer and godfathered by producer Christopher Nolan. Recent, plausible sounding rumors pegged Metallo as the villain, but the Nolan camp has apparently been good at purposeful misinformation as well, so that storyline has likely been proven as a very false one.
Shannon, known for electrical turns in “Revolutionary Road” (for which he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar), and absurd ones (Werner Herzog‘s “My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?” joins a so-far impeccable cast that includes Henry Cavill as Clark Kent, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Ma and Pa Kent and Amy Adams as Lois Lane. “Superman” hits theaters in December 2012. Production is expected to begin in the fall.
The problem with this movie is Zack Synder. You can get all teh talented actors together but with a director like Synder, no chance this will have any substance or soul. I still want my money and time back from Sucker Punch. My uterus was insulted. Horrible doesn\’t even describe that movie.
Mark, which filmmakers do you like? Let\’s take a look at your impeccable taste.
Nolan\’s camp is apparently good at misinformation? They kinda thrive on it.
Why do people like Superman II so much? I watched it again recently and it was PAINFUL. I love the first one, but come on–Richard Lester was the worst thing to happen to Superman, since, like, ever. The other sequels are clear evidence of this.
Richard Donner\’s cut is pretty good, though.
Poor Gonad. It must be horrible going through life having no taste.
Gonad……Ban hammer
Armond White! Ha! Funny you mention him because I quite like his reviews and share his love of Snyder and dislike of Chris Nolan. I see your point about Snyder but I have to disagree. Compare 300 to bland stuff like Troy or Alexander. No comparison, 300 leaves them in the shade. Compare Watchmen with say Nolans Batmans. Again, no comparison, Snyder is a born filmmaker who can make you feel something through visuals, Nolan is cookie cutter and rote. My point is Snyder stands out from the crowd – and for the right reasons. P.S Oscar Issac would make a good Zod.
He\’s all style and NO substance. And that starts to wear thin if everything you make starts to bore people. Hell, when i saw 300, i almost feel asleep in theatres.
I applaud him for trying, but most of his work is garbage. Dawn of the Dead was a good remake until after 30 minutes it started to falter and become boring. 300 was one giant blue screen/cgi effect spectacle that had no direction in story or acting. Watchmen was an amazing visual representation of the comic but unfortunately the acting on half the cast was atrocious. And Ga\’Hole was just a generic kids animated movie he shilled out.
But Sucker Punch, my god, if that\’s an original work, i don\’t want to see what else he has written on his coffee napkins.
by the way, are you Armond White?
I haven\’t seen Hobo so I can\’t judge it. But I\’m surprised Snyder is starting to become a real hated online like the Brett Ratner\’s of the world. Makes no sense to lump such a gifted director such as Snyder in with those guys. I think with 300, Watchmen and Sucker Punch he has established himself as the most interesting younger mainstream director out there. He paints for the big screen, his imagery is jawdropping, and the visuals do the talking. We should be grateful for him.
Bullshit, gonad.
Hobo With A Shotgun was on a budget much, much smaller than Sucker Punch but was infinitely better than Sucker Punch.
A garbled mess with lazy dialogue and terrible acting. And bad use of slow mo.
But i will admit that the weak link in this Superman film is not Synder, who has a niched action style that has grown tiring but it\’s Goyer. His writing is terrible and only works because he\’s working with other writers who have to counter his shitty scripts.
And i\’m still irked that Costner is Pa Kent. Bland actor is super bland.
Sucker Punch was brilliant. So there. People take movies too seriously, it was alot of fun and showed alot of creativity and imagination. It was FUN. Snyder is the best man for a Superman reboot.
I bet it\’s because of that Obama \’KNEEL\’ t-shirt.
Haven\’t seen Sucker Punch but Zach Snyder is a great visionary director, time will tell.
Anyone who uses \”Sucker Punch\” and \”brilliant\” in the same sentence needs to be punched in the gonads.
Sucker Punch was brilliant dammit! Who else can match Snyders imagination and visionary style? No one. He\’s unique and the best visual director since early Ridley Scott or vintage De Palma.
Nolan producing, Goyer scripting and an awesome cast coming together. The weakest link is Snyder.
this movie has a fuc*ing good casting but an awful director
The Sunday press releases are to prevent leaks. When Henry Cavill was confirmed the actor and his agency only found out the same morning it was announced. And even then, only a select few people around the film were privy to the info. It was announced on a Sunday to prevent word from leaking anywhere else and get it out there first.
Yes it was an absurd movie, but c\’mon! It was Herzog.
Why do Superman casting news always come out on Sundays?
And Amy Adams as Lois Lane.