Michael Shannon “confused” how multiverses work: Wasn’t Zod dead?

The various multiverses mingling around modern superhero movies has been an undeniable draw for major movie stars, both entering the genre and reemerging in it. But it can be a little daunting, as even Michael Shannon, who played General Zod in Man of Steel a decade ago, is a bit confused as to how the superhero movie genre has evolved, wondering how he could possibly return for this year’s The Flash.

Speaking with Looper, Michael Shannon said it took some time to understand how General Zod could even be part of another DC movie, considering he was killed off in Man of Steel. “I was a little confused. I said, ‘As memory serves me, I think I died in Man of Steel. Are they sure they got the right guy?’ But then they explained to me the whole multiverse phenomenon, which…I was a little behind the times on that.” Shannon then admitted that he barely keeps up with the genre. “I can’t say that I’m a huge consumer of this genre of films–not that I have anything against them. If I’m going to watch a movie, the odds are it’s not going to be one of those, but I sure love making them.” Maybe Shannon at least saw Everything Everywhere All at Once to get a primer on how multiverses work?

Shannon also reflected on his time working with director Zack Snyder. “I loved making Man of Steel and I love working with Zack, and I felt like it was actually, in a way, a fairly important film. It was nice to revisit the character. I wasn’t there for a terribly long time. I was in and out in a couple of weeks.” Michael Shannon’s return as General Zod will be even smaller than in Man of Steel, but he insists he has put in the work. “I tried to get back into his skin. He’s a little different in this film…You don’t spend as much time with him, so you don’t really get to know as much about what he’s thinking. It’s not necessarily his movie. That’s the thing with these multiverse movies…”

Michael Shannon (via Zod) won’t be the only Michael bringing back a popular DC character for The Flash, although it will undoubtedly be Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman that garners the most attention.

The Flash darts to theaters on June 16th, although it will premiere at CinemaCon next month.

Are you looking forward to Michael Shannon reprising his role as General Zod? Let us know below!