The Oscar-nominated actor, Michael Shannon, who plays General Zod in the upcoming comic book movie 'Man of Steel' - has revealed meeting with director Zack Snyder was one of the "most surreal" experiences of his life, as he couldn't understand how the role was just "plonked" in his lap.

He said: "It was one of the most surreal experiences of my life because I was against this panoramic window, looking out on these beautiful hills, rose bushes and hummingbirds while Zack was saying, 'And then, on Krypton, this happens.'

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"By the end, I was kind of confused. I was like, 'Is this an offer or not?' We shook hands and he said he wanted me as Zod. I was thinking, 'There's something wrong here. This is one of the largest films around. I'm not Robert De Niro - I don't understand why this is being plonked on my lap.' "

Although Zack was keen to cast Michael in the movie, the actor had to take part in a "chemistry test" with leading man Henry Cavill - who is playing Superman - which made him wonder whether the pair were expected to "make out".

Michael added in an interview with Shortlist magazine: "Warner Bros said they needed to see me and Henry together first. They called it a 'Chemistry Test'. I was like, 'What, do Zod and Superman make out? You want to see if any sparks fly?' "