Is General Zod A Villain In MAN OF STEEL? Michael Shannon Says No

For fans of Superman, General Zod is considered one of the most evil villains in comics.  But ask the guy playing him in the upcoming reboot, and he’ll convince you that Zod is anything but. 

In a new interview with TotalFilm, Michael Shannon spoke about his role in MAN OF STEEL, and argued that Zod is not a villain, but a mere general fighting for his people: 

“[General Zod] is not a villain…He’s not a villain any more than any other General fighting to protect his people. He doesn’t like to just hurt people and steal diamonds; he’s focused on being successful at his job.”

Shannon said that while he had no problem with Terrence Stamp’s portrayal in the 1978 classic, he was aiming for something completely different:

“I think the way Terrence Stamp approached it – and this isn’t any kind if criticism of his performance – there was something detached about it. Pure, hatred, rage… I think this [characterization] is more ambiguous.“

So which General Zod will you enjoy more, and will you be able to side with Shannon’s portrayal?  Find out when MAN OF STEEL hits theaters June 14, 2013.