Who did Michael Shannon consult with before returning as General Zod for ‘The Flash’?

Michael Shannon is back playing General Zod in the upcoming film ‘The Flash’, but his return may not have happened if it wasn’t for one DC legend.

The 48-year-old revealed that before agreeing to return to the role, he made sure to run the idea by his ‘Man of Steel’ director, Zack Snyder.

In a new episode of the Bingeworthy podcast, Shannon explained he wasn’t happy with DC and wanted to get Snyder’s blessing.

“I was hesitant, because I wasn’t really happy about what happened to Zack Snyder in that whole deal,” Shannon said.

“And I really love Zack. The fact that Zack asked me to play that part to begin with — that’s probably the biggest surprise of my career. It almost felt like a practical joke. I was like, ‘You’re kidding me, right?’”

Before reaching out to Snyder, Shannon also had a chat with ‘The Flash’ director Andy Muschietti to explain his stance on the role.

“Zack, to his credit, was very understanding. He gave me his blessing, and I went to do it. I loved Andy, too. I loved working with Andy. They’re both super creative guys,” Shannon added.

What is ‘The Flash’ about?

“Worlds collide when the Flash uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past,” reads the official synopsis of the film.

“However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation.

“With no other superheroes to turn to, the Flash looks to coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian -- albeit not the one he’s looking for.”

The film includes both new and familiar faces with the cast including Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck, Sasha Calle, Kiersey Clemons, Maribel Verdú, Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Antje Traue and more.

‘The Flash’ receives positive reviews at early screenings

The lead-up to the film has been noteworthy following all the drama surrounding Ezra Miller and his past, as well as James Gunn stepping down from Marvel Studios and working full-time as co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios with Peter Safran.

Nevertheless, the film has been receiving overwhelming praise since its early screenings started. ‘The Flash’ film was shown at CinemaCon, with much of the talk at the convention centered on the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film.

“It’s the best superhero movie I’ve ever seen,” Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said of the film, having watched it three times.

The latest DC film is set to hit theaters on June 16, 2023.