If
Superman: The Man of Steel ends up with a bad-guy on the same level as the talent being rumoured for the film right now, then
Henry Cavill's sure going to have a formidable job this summer to stop himself being swallowed up by the magnificence on display. Then again the Superman franchise has always been this way - newcomers Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh had Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey to stand up against in their first outings wearing the red and blue tights.
Deadline are reporting that the great character actor
Michael Shannon is being eyed for a 'baddie' role in
Zack Snyder's new reboot, presumably the same character
Edgar Ramirez was with linked with earlier today - that of General Zod. All we know is that WB have 'interest' in casting him. But even if it's not Zod... Shannon as a Superman villain? How awesome is that to even comprehend! Who do we need to sacrifice to make it happen? Every single production Shannon seems to be involved with lately is quickly overshadowed by this phenomenal screen presence. Think Revolutionary Road when he just comes in to a movie that isn't his and within seconds his trailblazing authority commands your attention and he's all you can remember when it's done. Boardwalk Empire is the same. Just look at the eyes this guy has... they tell a thousand tales themselves.... Superman is set to fly before camera's ometime in the summer and clearly with Mortensen/Ramirez/Shannon being linked with the film, Snyder is wanting cold, detached, intensity - as all three men do that so well. A formidable presence is what Snyder wants and if he keeps going for names like these, one of them will bite and we'll be all the better for it. No more snickering Lex Luthor... Snyder wants pure evil.