From stage to screen, Michael Shannon has shown himself to be a man of many faces.
Since garnering an Oscar nomination for his role in 2008’s Revolutionary Road, Michael Shannon has effortlessly navigated thoughtful indies like Take Shelter and 99 Homes, the serious period drama of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, big-ticket Hollywood blockbusters (he plays super villain General Zod in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel), and his first love, the stage. In addition to playing a father desperate to protect his supernatural son in Jeff Nichols’ forthcoming sci-fi thriller, Midnight Special, Shannon will bring his signature intensity to the big screen multiple times this year, including a turn as “the King” himself in Elvis & Nixon, before facing off against Jessica Lange in the Broadway revival of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night.
A lot of people might not know that you also play in a band (Corporal). Did you always do music as well as act?
I’ve been doing music since before I was acting. Honestly, music is my favorite thing, more than any of the other stuff. Music’s what I love. I like acting, but I fantasize about — this probably makes me sound stupid and obnoxious — but I fantasize about not acting and devoting all my energy to the band. But I also know that it’s kind of a scarlet letter to try to be an actor playing in a band. Everybody secretly thinks it’s silly, or not even secretly. Blatantly.
I always think of you first and foremost as a theater actor. Is there something that the experience of being in front of a live audience provides you that acting in films does not?
This story is from the October 2017 edition of Maxim South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2017 edition of Maxim South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sicilian Claire
She loves beards, a quick-witted sense of humour, and is a live-in-the-moment kind of woman. What’s not to love about Claire Caruso and her bright eyes?
Miss Natalia
This Instagram socialite can be spotted in a crowd as the only woman dancing to the background music. She got whipped by Britney Spears too…
Hockey & Hooters
She once served beer at her local pub, and is currently a promotions girl for Budweiser, Akacia Boven is definitely the kind of lady we want to have around when a big game is on.
L.A. Confidential
Los Angeles is so much more than beaches, bikinis, and movie stars. Sure, it has plenty of those. But these days the city boasts some of the coolest restaurants, bars, and neighborhoods in the country. Here, our insider’s guide to L.A.
The Jack Of All Traits
When one thinks of Australia, a few specific things come to mind. Great cricket teams, a big rock in the middle of nowhere, shrimps on the barbie, and Hugh Jackman.
