And the villain in the new Superman movie is . . .

Zod! Not Lex Luthor, as almost everyone on the planet suspected, but Zod. As in "kneel before Zod!"

The villain was originally portrayed by the great character actor Terance Stamp in Superman and Superman 2, which is my personal favourite of the original films. This time around Zod will be played by Michael Shannon, who is best known for his roles in TV's Boardwalk Empire and the feature films The Runaways and Revolutionary Road.

While not a geek favourite, Shannon is well regarded as an actor, which shows Warner Bros. and director Zack Snyder are going with a super actor instead of a super star for the villain. I'd say that's a smart move.

Shawn and I are less than thrilled with the latest revamp of Superman, even if they go with Zod as the bad guy. Why not continue with the universe Bryan Singer forged in Superman Returns? Or improve on the work already established in Smallville? But we don't run Hollywood.

Oh, and for the record, the upcoming film is called Man of Steel. Not Superman: Man of Steel. Just Man or Steel.

And Superman's love interest will be . . .

. . .  Lois Lane. Duh! But who is the actress playing the feisty female reporter who lusts after The Man of Steel while being chummy with Clark Kent, not realizing the two are the same dude?

Director Zack Snyder, who underwhelmed us with Sucker Punch last weekend, has selected Academy Award nominee Amy Adams for the role. At least he's going for talent along with sex appeal.

Adams will star opposite Henry Cavill as Superman/Kent. 

Shawn and I aren't keen on yet another Superman origin story heading to the big screen. I mean, come on, who doesn't know how Superman became Superman? However, with Kevin Costner and Diane Lane cast as Ma and Pa Kent and now Adams added to the mix we'll at least have a decent cast to look forward to.

The new Superman is expected to arrive in theatres some time in 2012.

Micro Review: Sucker Punch

Writer/director Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch is a beautiful mess; a soulless feast for the eyes and ears with little to offer the brain. Snyder spends a lot of time and energy crafting dazzling fantasy sequences that go nowhere. They move the story forward but offer nothing more than glorious nerd porn. As for the story itself? Who cares. There's nothing there to hold one's attention. This is an OK watch once, which makes it a Bad in my books.

Former Robin Hood could have role in new Superman

That's right, Kevin Costner, the Oscar winner who once thrilled audiences as Robin Hood and wooed Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard, is apparently being considered for a role in the new Superman movie.

But who? Could he be shaved bald and cast as Superman's arch rival Lex Luthor? Let's hope not. Not because Costner wouldn't be a good Luthor. I actually think the guy is a decent actor. But everyone who is tired of seeing Superman fight the same villain in every movie raise his or her hand. All of you? Good!

The only promising thing about latest take on the Man of Steel is director Zack Snyder.Otherwise it's hard to care about yet another origin story for a character everyone on planet earth is familiar with.

But back to Costner. Who do you think he should play? Established character or new creation? The film is due out in December 2012.

Henry Cavill is Superman. Henry who!?!

The Internet has been surprisingly quiet today about the news that British actor Henry Cavill, 27, has been cast in Zack Snyder's take on Superman.

But get this, Cavill was actually in the running for the role of Clark Kent/Superman in 2005's Superman Returns before Brandon Routh got the part. And where is Routh now? Nowhere. That's where. Meanwhile, Cavill went on to appear in The Tudors and the movie Hellraiser: Hellworld. Take that, Routh.

In a statement, Snyder, who directed Watchmen, 300 and the upcoming Sucker Punch, said “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honoured to be a part of his return to the big screen.” He added that Cavill is “the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”

Who am I to argue? I have nothing invested in Superman as a character. Shawn's the huge Superman nut, so it will be interesting to hear what he thinks. I'm more curious about who they cast as Lois Lane . . . because Lois Lane is supposed to be hot.

Snyder's Superman is due out . . . I have no idea. 

Get your mind blown with this new Sucker Punch trailer!

Some days it's tough to find interesting things to share with our fellow Basement Dwellers. On days like this, it's not.

Below is the second preview for Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch, and it threatens to melt minds and eyeballs with rampant coolness. Not only is it even more fantastic to look at than the previous trailer, but it shares some of the story too. Yes, there is a story, which is as follows: a young girl is institutionalized by her wicked stepfather. Retreating to an alternative reality as a coping strategy, she envisions a plan which will help her escape from the facility.


Sounds very Cinderella, only with ninjas, dragons, robots and hot babes kicking all kinds of ass. Not unlike a certain Jason Statham we talked about yesterday. Consider us sold.

Sucker Punch stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, and Vanessa Hudgens. Currently in post production, the film is set to land in theaters in March 2011. Until then, feast on the awesomeness below!

 

God, I love my non-paying job!

Trailer Alert: Sucker Punch

Here's the Comic Con footage from Zack Snyder's upcoming fantasy epic Sucker Punch, and boy does it leave one wanting to see more!

Snyder, who directed the awesome Dawn of the Dead remake, the spectacular 300 and the flawed but entertaining Watchmen, is a superior visual storyteller who also knows how to hit the right character notes. While we don't get much about the plot from this footage, the images are jaw dropping. I'm already looking forward to seeing the film next year.

I mean babes, swords, dragons and giant robots armed with gatling guns? Who doesn't want to watch a film with all that?

Sucker Punch hits theatres in March 2011.