13 Gloriously Hammy Performances In Comic Book Movies
3. Terence Stamp (Superman II)
Terence Stamps portrayal of Zod in Superman II is so iconic that Michael Shannon, who took on the role for Man of Steel, was asked in interviews whether he would repeat the catchphrase, Kneel before Zod! (He didnt, sadly.) Stamp never failed to deliver that line with the combination of menace and smugness which he brought to his entire performance, and which made for one of the most memorable supervillains in any comic book adaptation. Zod speaks almost constantly in the third person at a glacial pace and at one point, as the broadcast cuts out on his message to Superman, just shrieks his own name for no apparent reason. One eyebrow is always slightly raised in mockery, and he also rivals Nick Nolte for Most Spectacular Wail as Superman crushes his hand in his final scene. All of this is accomplished while Stamp is dressed in what appears to be a fashionable black bin liner. Stamps version of the character differed from his comic book counterpart, but the former proved so popular that it was adopted in the comics shortly afterwards. Live action Superman has yet to face a more compelling or hammier foe.
