The Official Michael Shannon IS General Zod - Part 4

[KRYPTON INC.]

One thing that I liked was how Shannon subtly portrayed the differences in Zod during the two different time periods that see him in (Younger Zod/Krypton and Older Zod/Present Day). I wasn't sure if he was originally going to portray him that way before seeing the film, but after seeing it, I definitely liked how Shannon added some differences in how he played the character in those two different time periods.

I felt that Zod had time to stew in his juices after coming out of the PZ. Even before, during sentencing he showed sympathy to Jor-el's POV (though the Codex theft was still a bridge to far for him, much as Zod's "bloodline cleansing" horrified Jor-el). With decades to contemplate the end of his homeworld and his people's fate there should be some effect on his character, and Shannon did a great job of showing a gradation of Zod in body language and vocal expression.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

One thing that I liked was how Shannon subtly portrayed the differences in Zod during the two different time periods that see him in (Younger Zod/Krypton and Older Zod/Present Day). I wasn't sure if he was originally going to portray him that way before seeing the film, but after seeing it, I definitely liked how Shannon added some differences in how he played the character in those two different time periods.

Yeah, young Zod was more manic and reckless, while old Zod was more methodical, as I remember.

 

[The Batman]

^ Shannon's performance in MOS was underrated. :

Certainly not on these boards.

 

[Warhammer]

So how long was Zod and his crew technically in the phantom zone for? An hour?

 

[Herolee10]

So how long was Zod and his crew technically in the phantom zone for? An hour?

Probably since it didn't appear as though much time had passed since their sentencing before Krypton was destroyed.

On another note, some of the other things that I liked about this take on Zod was that brief moment where we saw Shannon's Zod showing more emotion and vulnerability than Stamp was allowed to. I'm referring about the moment where Zod is begging Superman not to destroy the chamber; you could tell that Zod was desperately trying to resurrect his people and how devastated he was from having failed to do so.

Another thing that I enjoyed was how there was an underlying sense of regret and past friendship between Zod and Jor-el, and how Zod said that even though he did it for his people and would do so again if he had to, he still regretted having to kill Jor-el. In some ways, Jor-el and Zod came off as the tragic friendship between Magneto and Professor X.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah, that was an interesting spin on it. I liked that better than just making them sworn enemies to begin with.

 

[godisawesome]

Probably since it didn't appear as though much time had passed since their sentencing before Krypton was destroyed.

On another note, some of the other things that I liked about this take on Zod was that brief moment where we saw Shannon's Zod showing more emotion and vulnerability than Stamp was allowed to. I'm referring about the moment where Zod is begging Superman not to destroy the chamber; you could tell that Zod was desperately trying to resurrect his people and how devastated he was from having failed to do so.

Another thing that I enjoyed was how there was an underlying sense of regret and past friendship between Zod and Jor-el, and how Zod said that even though he did it for his people and would do so again if he had to, he still regretted having to kill Jor-el. In some ways, Jor-el and Zod came off as the tragic friendship between Magneto and Professor X.

Shannon's facial expressions rock in the entire sequence after the world engine starts up. He actually smiles a bit when his command key lights up the genesis chamber, is clearly irritated at Jor-El's lecture, then he looks even more annoyed when he realizes that the World Engine has been destroyed and he has to destroy the human plane, panic stricken and desperate when Clark prepares to destroy the ship, than overcome by anger and despair afterwards.

Great acting.

 

[Herolee10]

I also liked on how they allowed Shannon's Zod to show some side of sympathy for his soldiers, ala Faora, when he saw how she reacted to Krypton's destruction by putting his hand on her shoulder.

 

[TheFlamingCoco]

Certainly not on these boards.

I think the thing is, he's played more psychotic and intimidating characters in the past than Zod. So for people wanting him to be be downright evil or unsettling were disappointed.

I think Shannon managed to portray the madness, obsessiveness, lack of hope, and vulnerability of this Zod really well. If they wanted a more straightforward villain, I feel like Shannon would steal the movie from Cavill.

If this is one of the weaker performances by Shannon, it's a testament to how awesome Shannon is as an actor, overall.

 

[TheNextNolan22]

"We could have built a new Krypton in this squalor, but you chose the humans over us! I exist only to protect Krypton. That is the sole purpose for which I was born. And every action I take no matter how matter how violent or how cruel....is for the greater good....of my people. And now.....I HAVE NO PEOPLE." Shannon owned in this particular scene.

 

[Darkness Falls]

i loved that scene, great emotion from shannon

 

[sabetoonth]

Gonna go ahead and drop this in here too, its a fanmade trailer for Zod in MOS:
[YT]YkWLiQccHbQ[/YT]

 

[BH/HHH]

I can't stop saying HERESY!!

 

[MrMaooz]

I loved his NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO scream.

 

[DMC40]

Gonna go ahead and drop this in here too, its a fanmade trailer for Zod in MOS:
[YT]YkWLiQccHbQ[/YT]

Nice fanmade trailer.

 

[PacificBoy]

^ Yeah neat find. Found myself rooting for Zod. Make me wish earth got terraformed instead.

 

[Fenrir]

I wish someone had shown Goyer General Frank Hummel in The Rock because that is precisely what General Zod was in Man of Steel, only not written as well. Granted, you can take away the crisis of conscience Hummel has in the end but even then you'd be left with a pretty compelling character nonetheless whose fierce loyalty and sense of uncompromising patriotism, though destructive, was understandably well-intentioned and clearly a magnetic force for his followers. Of course, Zod is supposed to be similar as well but he simply wasn't as convincing as Hummel who, despite his misguidance, had this air of accumulated wisdom and experience you expect from a decorated military leader. Shannon's Zod could have easily gone down as one of the best villains in comic book film history if only he had been given the right material.

 

[The Guard]

What?

 

[Silvermoth]

Shannon was great in this. His would be the role I would most want to play if I was an actor.

I hope they keep him around for a sequel somehow

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

Well...since they said that Kryptonians were bred to be a certain thing in society, and he himself said he was born to defend Kryptom....it probably means something like "Defender".

good question.. maybe pasion.. I don't know lol

Hell

Taking all of your answers and giving it some thought I've decided I think the symbol of the house of Zod stands for Valiance.

And if I had to guess Faora's symbol probably stands for Duty or Loyalty.

 

[Team Andino]

So I was walking down the street yesterday in Chicago and I ran into General Zod himself.

 

[JaD]

That's awesome! Looks like he was cool enough to take a picture

 

[Team Andino]

That's awesome! Looks like he was cool enough to take a picture

I told him I was a big fan of his work, he came off very humble and thanked me(then again maybe he's just that good an actor that he can cover his hate for me at that moment). I shook his hand and asked him for a quick pic which he kindly accepted by immediately posing with me. Thanked him for his time and was just left in awe on how sudden that happen.

 

[jonathancrane]

Shannon was awesome in Man of Steel. It is a pity that Goyer once again killed off a terrific villain.

 

[terry78]

He was just chilling on the street walking on his own? I know probably only a handful of people would recognize him.