Sometimes it's weird people just shout out Boardwalk Empire, like that's my name. Hey, Boardwalk Empire. Boardwalk. Hanging out with me on the couch. Michael Shannon, hello.

Hello, how are you doing?

Good. How are you? How's your day going?

I'm great. Oh, yeah, great. Another beautiful day in Los Angeles.

Yeah, it's been, it's, it's been quite a few beautiful days, I think out here. I gotta say, I am a huge fan of yours, because I love how intensely you portray your characters.

Oh, cool.

Let's get cooking. What? Sheriffs are here. Why are they here? My name's Rick Carver, I'm a licensed real estate broker. This home has been foreclosed on. No, this is not happening. I need you, your mom, and your son to step off the property. This is not your home. Mr. Carver, please, you have two minutes. Pack whatever belongings you need. Oh, my god. Does he have to stand there while she packs up? Is that right? Oh, my god. Oh, my god. Oh, my god. 99 Homes, The new movie you're in. It is a thriller that has to do with real estate and, and also, I mean, Andrew Garfield, uh, becomes your, your minion of sorts.

Yeah, like a little apprentice.

How is his American accent? How did he do? He's not American?

You know, it's funny, it's a funny thing, actually. He always says this, he says, "I am American." He's, he was born here and then he went to England. God knows why. Thinking back, he's Spider-Man. You know. But, no, he, he really nailed the accent, actually. He, he spent a lot of time down there in Florida before we started shooting. And he hung out with people that, that had gone through similar things as his character, you know.

People are likening your character to Donald Trump of all people. Do you think that's a fair assessment?

Donald Trump's a great actor.

Do you say you think it's a pretty fair assessment?

I did, I mean, who am I to say? I mean, everybody's kind of like everybody else, I guess. I think Rick would never run for, uh, office. I think Rick likes his privacy.

Yeah. Rick likes his money, obviously, as well.

He does, but I think to him it's like a game. He just gets off on pulling things off, pulling off scams. Figuring out ways to beat the system. I think he has enough money. I mean, I don't think he's hurting for cash. I think he just really, he gets a rush off of pulling off a scam, you know. There's people like that.

Your character, very intense. Um, we talked about Van Alden a little bit. Also you played General Zod. I mean, what's the, what's the key to playing a villain?

I mean, to me they're all, they're such different characters. Like, I guess the kinda the classical response to that question is to just not think of him as a bad guy. I mean, I didn't think, like when I was playing Zod, I was like, Zod is not a necessarily a villain, he's the general of this planet and the planet's in jeopardy and and then the planet explodes and it's not even there anymore. And now what's he gonna do? You know. He's not just saying, oh, I want to hurt people's feelings and be mean to people, you know. He's just, stay focused on whatever your objective is, I guess.

How do you like being in, in this superhero universe versus doing, you know, more thrillers and more, or more dramas like 99 Homes?

Well, you know, variety is the spice of life, right?

There you go.

Yeah. I mean, I was always shocked when I got invited into the DC Universe. When Zach called me up and invited me to his house and said, "I want you to play Zod in Man of Steel." It seemed like a practical joke. But, uh, I'm really glad I did it.

When people meet you, do they kinda think that you're, you know, Van Alden from, from Boardwalk or or General Zod even?

Yeah, well, I think, I think I look pretty different at least. Yeah, I don't know, people sometimes it's weird people just shout out Boardwalk Empire, like that's my name. Hey, Boardwalk Empire. Boardwalk.

Like, do you feel obligated to turn around?

I don't, I don't turn around when people do. If you want to get my attention, don't yell Boardwalk Empire.

Okay, good to know.

It doesn't work.

Good to know. What about Van Alden?

Yeah, I'm a little more forgiving of all of them.

Okay. Okay, good to know. Good to know.

But if you really want extra credit, you say Mueller.

Hmm.

Cuz that was my alias, George Mueller.

There you go. Michael, thank you so much for dropping by.

Thanks for having me.

Come by anytime.

I will. Every day.