Supes May Not Kneel Before Shannon Anyway

10-27-11 • Comics, Film Posted by Adam A. Donaldson

So it’s sad news for fans of the trope, but there’s a good chance that Michael Shannon, who’s playing General Zod in Zack Snyder’s Superman: The Man of Steel, will not get to utter the immortal words, “Kneel Before Zod!” in the picture. Empire asked the actor if he’s had a chance to rehearse the line, and his answer is interesting, if also disappointing. Press play to hear it from the actor’s mouth.

It seems like kind of an obvious shout out to the original films to keep the line in the picture, doesn’t it? Even Smallville used it, and there was so much about the franchise it got wrong. Still, it is a bit bizarre that it’s not a matter of the line not being in the script, but a matter of Shannon not knowing if it’s going to be in the script. Either they’re still writing the film as they shoot, or “Kneel Before Zod!” is a line they’re going to try and improv in and they’re just seeing where they can squeeze it in.

Still, I think fans will agree, without the “Kneel” line Zod just isn’t the same.