Michael Shannon is General Zod; Zack Snyder's Superman Officially Titled MAN OF STEEL

Zack Snyder is adding to the amazing cast of his upcoming Superman film by including another Academy Award nominee in the mix. Michael Shannon, nominated for his supporting role in Revolutionary Road, has been cast in the role of General Zod. Terence Stamp infamously played the part in Superman II, embedding the iconic phrase "kneel before Zod!" into the public consciousness.

Snyder had this to say about casting Michael Shannon:

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.

I'm incredibly stoked for this news because Shannon is one of my favorite working actors. He's done some amazing work in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," and he's my early favorite to take home the Best Actor Academy Award in 2012 for his performance in Sundance favorite Take Shelter.

Read the full press release below - which confirms the long-rumored title Man of Steel - and be sure to let us know what you think about Shannon as Zod in the comments!

BURBANK, CA, April 10, 2011 – Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Michael Shannon will star in the role of General Zod in director Zack Snyder’s new Superman film, titled “Man of Steel.”

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.”

As General Zod, Shannon will go toe-to-toe with Henry Cavill, who plays the new Clark Kent/Superman in the film. The main cast also includes Amy Adams as Lois Lane, and Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Martha and Jonathan Kent.

Michael Shannon was honored with an Academy Award® nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road,” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. Shannon was most recently seen in the award-winning HBO drama series “Boardwalk Empire,” from executive producer Martin Scorsese. He will next be seen in Sony Pictures Classics', "Take Shelter," from director/writer Jeff Nichols.

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

“Man of Steel” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.