Michael Shannon dedicating 2016 play run to late dad

Man Of Steel villain Michael Shannon is dedicating his upcoming run in Eugene O'neill's A Long Day's Journey Into Night to his dad - because it was his late father's favorite play.

The actor will take on the role of Jamie, opposite Gabriel Byrne and Jessica Lange, in New York next spring (16), and admits the play has a special place in his heart.

Shannon tells WENN, "I'm really looking forward to that. It's definitely my favorite Eugene O'Neill play, so I'm very excited to be doing it.

"It's interesting because my father used to be an accountant in New York City back when he was younger and he said he would go to see Eugene O'Neill shows on Broadway with Jason Robards playing my character, and what an amazing experience he had.

"Unfortunately he's passed away but it would've been such a neat thing for him to see me in a Eugene O'Neill play. He'll probably be watching from wherever."