Rumor: Michael Shannon as Superman villain?

It's barely been a few hours since the rumor was floated that Edgar Ramirez is in consideration to play the bad guy in Warner Brothers' Superman film, and now there's already another contender in the mix. Deadline reports that Michael Shannon(Revolutionary Road) has been shown some interest in the unconfirmed role. Viggo Mortensen was rumored to playing the evil Kryptonian, General Zod, but Snyder snuffed out that idea last week.

So far the only confirmed cast are Henry Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent; Kevin Costner and Diane Lane as Ma and Pa Kent. A number of actresses have been mentioned as being considered for one of the other major female roles, either Lois Lane or the villainess Ursa. Those actresses are Malin Akerman, Mila Kunis, Lindsay Lohan, Diane Kruger, and Rosamund Pike.

Shannon was most recently seen in the first season of HBO's Boardwalk Empire, but he was really great as Kim Fowley in The Runaways last year. Seek out that film on DVD if you get a chance.