7 ACTORS WHO SHOULD PLAY GENERAL ZOD

Written by Matthew Pejkovic

With newly announced The Man of Steel director Zack Snyder revealing that super villain General Zod will return to battle Superman once again, Matt’s Movie Reviews has compiled a list of 7 actors Snyder and Warner Bros. should strongly consider to play the role made infamous by Terrence Stamp in Superman II.

Enjoy!  

GERARD BUTLER

300 leading man Gerard Butler conveys the type of dark, physical presence that could give Synder’s General Zod the type of intimidating clout needed to convincingly make The Man of Steel shake in his little red boots. Butler hasn’t had the best track record since breaking through (and breaking backs) as King Leonidas. A segway into comic book territory would do his career wonders.  

STEPHEN MOYER

True Blood star Stephen Moyer has long been rumoured to playDr. Doom in the Fantastic Four re, and it is easy to see why: dark, brooding, with a strong physical presence which just yells out “super-villain”. Moyer has since denied such casting rumours, and Marvel’s loss could indeed be DC’s gain if they snag this cold blooded thesp.

MARK STRONG

Mark Strong has carved out a niche as the premiere bad guy, taking on everyone from Kick-Ass to Robin Hood. General Zod would be a role suited to Strong’s, well, strengths. Granted his Zod will most surely be a redo of Terrence Stamp’s iconic turn, but who better to evoke when playing the megalomaniacal Kryptonian?

RUSSELL CROWE

Place a salt and pepper haired Russell Crowe in a black Kryptonian uniform, and watch Supes fly behind Louis Lane’s skirt! Such is the effect Crowe pulls off when playing bad, his intimidating presence, no bullshit demeanour, and Shakespearean clout the perfect formula for a classic villain of General Zod’s pedigree.

PAUL BETTANY

Paul Bettany has experience with comic book novels, having starred in Legion and the upcoming Priest. Coupled with his dramatic chops, Bettany brings skill and seasoning to do the role of General Zod, not to mention that all important British feel.

TOM HARDY

Scene stealer Tom Hardy may now be saving the world as Mad Max, yet if his Inception director and The Man of Steel creative guru Christopher Nolan has his way, then we just might see Bronson himself duking it out with Superman in a fight for superiority. Bring it on, I say!

DANIEL DAY LEWIS

Can you imagine Daniel Day Lewis commanding Superman to “Kneel before Zod!” The uber thesp was strongly rumoured to play Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes 2 (the role instead went to Jared Harris), yet if the star of There Will Be Blood really wants to make a splash in the realm of comic book movies, what better character to play than a villain of this stature?