VENICE, Italy—U.S. actor Michael Shannon's streak of playing bad guys continues in upcoming Superman film ''Man of Steel," in which he plays the superhero's nemesis ''General Zod."

Shannon said he nearly ''had a seizure" when director Zac Snyder tapped him for the role.

''I would've never seen that coming in a million years," Shannon told The Associated Press at the Venice Film Festival, where he attended the world premiere Thursday of ''The Iceman," in which he plays a real-life Mafia hit man.

Shannon wouldn't say more about the upcoming film—except to say ''we all know what happens in Superman."

''Man of Steel" is in post-production and due for release the middle of next year.