Shannon to continue bad guy streak

Michael Shannon has confessed he went into shock when he was asked to star as the villain in upcoming Superman film Man Of Steel.

The star of Revolutionary Road and Boardwalk Empire will continue his bad guy streak when he plays the superhero's nemesis General Zod in the latest big screen adaptation of the Superman story, opposite Henry Cavill.

Michael confessed he nearly "had a seizure" when director Zac Snyder tapped him for the role.

He added: "I would've never seen that coming in a million years."

Michael - who plays a real-life Mafia hitman in his new film The Iceman, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival - wouldn't reveal any more about the upcoming movie - except to say "we all know what happens in Superman".

Man Of Steel is in post-production and due for release next year.