Michael Shannon Refused 'Star Wars' Because He Finds The Blockbusters 'Mindless'

Actor Michael Shannon rejected 'Star Wars' because he didn't want to be "stuck in a franchise." He was approached for a role in the sci-fi series in 2016 but said no because he considers the blockbusters "mindless entertainment."

"I'm always a bit wary about those giant movies. Because they take a lot of time and I don't find them very stimulating to work on. I don't ever want to get stuck in a franchise," Michael told Empire magazine, reports aceshowbiz.com.

(ALSO READ: Paul McCartney Defends New Beatles Song For Using AI)

"I don't find them interesting and I don't want to perpetuate them. If I'm making something, I want some purpose to it - I don't want to make mindless entertainment. The world doesn't need more mindless entertainment. We're inundated with it."

Despite his dislike of movie franchises, Michael reprises his role as General Zod in the new DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film 'The Flash' - although he did not expect to be back for another movie having first played the antagonist a decade ago in 'Man of Steel'.

(ALSO READ: 'Secret Invasion' Dives Deeper Into Nick Fury's Character And His Lost Edge)

The 'Nocturnal Animals' star explained: "Yeah, I didn't see myself playing Zod again, because he was dead. It's actually one of the reasons I made 'Man of Steel' in the first place - it was a one-and-done. So I was pretty shocked to hear about the reprisal of the role."

“But I like the story that 'The Flash' is telling and I wasn't there for a long of time - I was just there a couple of weeks - so it didn't break my back to do it."