Zod

Over the weekend it was confirmed that Zod will be the villain in Zack Snyder’s film, Superman: The Man of Steel.

 Already there is debate.

If anything, the positive is that actor Michael Shannon will be playing the Kryptonian criminal.

But the news was also met with ‘meh’ reactions.

This is supposed to be a new Superman, so the idea that Zod is the ‘bad guy’ already feels like a major step back.

To be honest, that was my reaction.

I obviously understand at least one reason why to put Zod up against Superman.

He’s the easiest to explain.

Superman = Good Kryptonian

Zod = Bad Kryptonian

However, after reading this statement from the official announcement,

"Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don’t."

I instantly had a sigh of relief.

There is a lot to be played with here, more than one might think.

Here are some thoughts,

 

It’s easy enough to think of Zod as the villain seen in the Richard Donner Superman films. The insane criminal free from the Phantom Zone hell bent on ruling the world (any world) and seeking revenge for his banishment to the ‘Zone.

There are so many other angles that could and I am sure will replace this image.

First off, there is an idea of Superman not knowing much about his origin. Then somehow Superman discovers the Phantom Zone and inside finds surviving Kryptonians. Superman rescues them and meets General Zod, the man once responsible for the safety of Krypton.

There is instantly an exchange of commonality between the two.

Zod and Superman become friends and the good General reveals to Kal-El about the world and culture he comes from. Then as the plot moves along Zod starts to see Earth as a chaotic world and declares martial law, with only Superman standing in his way. Later it would be revealed that it was Jor-EL, Superman’s father, that suggested the ‘Zone to save everyone from Krypton’s destruction, but the Council refused to believe Jor-El’s claim and declared any such act to advise people a crime, with Zod to carry out the punishment. When Krypton began to erupt, Zod fled to the ‘Zone to save his skin.

Another idea is Zod being a mystery. An armor clad powerhouse, using his abilities to overthrow countries and building an empire in his name. Again using the idea that Superman knows very little about his origin. Superman confronts Zod and learns that Zod and Superman come from the same world, revealing that it was destroyed ages ago. Zod goes on a crazy rant about how Jor-EL saved them both but Kal-EL was sent to Earth to live a blessed life, where Zod on the other hand, was seen as a mad man sentenced to the Phantom Zone to live in torture. Zod will then prove to the world that he is the better survivor and will remake Krypton in his image here on Earth.

These are just some of the ideas seen in the comics and from other stories.

It doesn’t have to be nor will it be ‘KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!’

Also lets keep this in mind,

Remember how we all reacted when the Joker was announced as the villain in The Dark Knight?

Besides, the number one thing fans have been asking for, is to see Superman fight.

He’ll get that with Zod and with Michael Shannon playing the part we are going to have to assume the story David Goyer and Christopher Nolan came up with is going to be a great one, worthy of a actor who can create a soul to the character.

So there you have it.

My two cents.