Michael Shannon: ‘I’m more creepy because I’ll sit there and stare at you.’

I know I’m not alone in having very deep feelings for Michael Shannon, but at the same time I know he’s (at best) a minority favorite. While Henry Cavill’s Superman/Kal El will definitely be the performance everyone talks about, I’m already feeling the General Zod love. Michael can be so deliciously creepy and he’s just one of the best character actors around these days. Somewhere along the line, my appreciation for his acting talent became something altogether… sexier. I’ve told you before, I have weird taste in men sometimes. My love for Michael Shannon might be Exhibit A.

Anyway, Michael has been doing the publicity rounds for Man of Steel, which pleases me to no end. I like when a character actor gets booked on The Late Show, you know? And Michael has a new interview with GQ, which you can read here. It’s funny and cool – he seems like such an interesting guy. Let me have my crush without judgment!!!

He didn’t have to be “sold” on playing Zod: “Are you kidding me? No way, man. I couldn’t believe it was happening. I thought it was a practical joke. I thought for sure they’d want somebody maybe a little bit more prominent.”

Whether his General Zod is sympathetic: “Well, I don’t think I’m gonna make anybody cry. When I saw it as a kid, Terence Stamp was just stone-cold terrifying. But you’re never really sure why he’s so mad. We were trying to answer that question. You may not feel bad for me, but every once in a while, you might think, He’s kinda got a point.”

His Zod action figure: “I’ve seen a picture of it. It’s really a good likeness. I’m very happy with it. But I didn’t clear it or anything. Nobody asked for my opinion.”

Whether he’s “creepy” in real life: “Nobody who knows me thinks I’m creepy. Most of my friends think I’m a pushover.”

On Ray Liotta (his costar in The Iceman) being creepier than him: “Yeah, he is. I remember when I saw Something Wild the first time, I was like, ‘That’s the scariest mother–ker on planet Earth.’ We didn’t make a lot of small talk, me and Ray. But I think we’re creepy in different ways. He’s got that real volatile electric thing—like you don’t know what the hell he’s gonna do. I’m more creepy because I’ll sit there and stare at you.”

[From GQ]

The only thing this shows me is that he has a sense of humor about his (creepy) image and that sometimes he might even be purposefully f—king with people. Imagine Michael Shannon sitting in front of you, not saying anything, just staring. Okay, I was aiming for “scary” with that scenario but I ended up turning myself on. Hm.

Here’s a cute clip of Michael on the Late Show the other night. One of his first gigs was as an extra on Groundhog Day, and he has a Bill Murray story. His voice is SO sexy, but this is the first time I’m really hearing his Chicago accent.

And here’s the viral trailer for Man of Steel:

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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24 Responses to “Michael Shannon: ‘I’m more creepy because I’ll sit there and stare at you.’”

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  1. notpretentious says:

    He is quite nice looking. I get it, your little crush. Have at him!

  2. Mia says:

    yeah, i get it

  3. Nicole says:

    Awwwwwwwww!

  4. don't kill me i'm french says:

    i read THE MAN OF STEEL reviews and i can’t say they praise Cavill!
    he’s good-looking but he doesn’t look at ease in his character,he has no alchemy with Amy Adams,he’s humorless,dour and brooding (acccording to Variety, “lacking even the sardonic self-amusement of Christian Bale in Bruce Wayne mode”)

  5. don't kill me i'm french says:

    i like Shannon’s voice and his acting in THE ICEMAN and TAKE SHELTER

  6. QQ says:

    He is so awesome, I love him in Boardwalk Empire too!

  7. Hautie says:

    Michael Shannon’s appeal to me, is that he looks like a man. Not some weirdo pretty boy in baggy ass jeans. Unshaven. Looking like he smells.

    But a grown man, who wears a suit very nicely. Has good grooming habits. All that is very appealing.

    Plus he seems to be very self aware. And that in its self is a miracle, with most actors with any kind of success.

    And I always like to hear anyone tell their tale, about meeting Bill Murray.

    That poor man (Murray) probably rarely has a simple “hello” from anyone. They all come off looking like little fan-girls, who aren’t very bright. 🙂

  8. Apples says:

    He’s funny, too! Ha ha, love his quote in the title.

    Also, his Funny or Die reading of that Sorority Girl letter was hilarious 🙂
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dngOH9G4UPw

  9. km says:

    Love him. Did you see Shotgun Stories. I don’t know what that movie would have been without Michael Shannon.

  10. Gretchen says:

    hmm, sorry, what? My mind wandered off at the mention of Terrence Stamp, god he was gorgeous circa Far From the Madding Crowd.

  11. Kezia says:

    I’ve LOVED him since a particular scene in Boardwalk Empire, where well let’s just say he dominated things…

    I feel like he’s what Paul Wesley (Stefan in Vampire Diarie) will look like in the future, anyone?!
    Even though they’re basically the same age.

    Man I can’t wait to see The Iceman. He did not have a prominent scene in Mud at all, boo!

  12. FLORC says:

    He had me at c**t p**t. Seems sweet and he just reinforced my ghost busters crush on Bill so he’s great! His characters always scare me, but I guess that’s because he’s a really good actor.

  13. j.eyre says:

    He is definitely growing on me. I am interested to see him play Zod. I do love a man with a sense of humor.

  14. Down and Out says:

    I totally get it. He reminds me of Malcolm McDowell in a way: strangely attractive (well, Malcolm in his younger days… but still might hit that now, no lie), crazy talented, not too much ego, comes off as total creeper but listen to him talk & he’s quite amazing.

  15. Stacia says:

    It’s like looking at a serial killer….but I can tell that he has a great sense of self depricating humor. If anyone desires a Serial Killer Lover….here you go.

  16. Mandy says:

    He was so cute on the Late Show! I was pleasantly surpised!

  17. Carrie says:

    I think Michael is one of those underrated actors. He definitely is endearing…in his own way. And yes, I am a complete sucker for the hostile Irishman. Swoon.

  18. Isabelle says:

    One of the best actors in Hollywood and think he’s very attractive. More Michael Shannon please 🙂

  19. Becky1 says:

    I get it. I don’t personally have a crush on him but I think he’s an excellent actor and can see why other people may find him attractive. He’s one of those actors that is really different in various roles. I saw him in a little independent movie with Linda Cardellini (I forget the name) where he plays her husband…Linda plays a veteran just back from Iraq. It was interesting to see him play someone so different from his “Boardwalk Empire” character. He definitely is talented. He seems like a nice guy, too.

  20. Lizzy1013 says:

    Loved him since boardwalk empire!!!