…what?! In an announcement that seriously comes from left field, Warner Bros. has announced that they have cast Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) as Lex Luthor in the upcoming Batman vs. Superman film. With the litany of names thrown out for consideration, such as Joaquin Phoenix, I don’t think many people would have guessed that Eisenberg would come out on top for the role… and with good reason, too.
The very obvious reason is the fact that Luthor has always been depicted as an older, bald businessman. However, as technology has risen and the corporate structure has shifted more towards younger generation, it’s only fitting that Batman vs. Superman‘s Luthor would be a younger man. Furthermore, this opens up narrative possibilities for DC and WB that would include Eisenberg being used for a long-term, multi-picture deal, as well as have the artistic creativity to further create stories that distance themselves from the same old canon. As somebody who detests DC comics (and the structure of their films outside of the Nolan Dark Knight Trilogy), this is a great move for a company that desperately needed one.
Also cast into the film is Jeremy Irons (The Borgias) as Bruce Wayne’s (Ben Affleck) butler, Alfred, to round out a cast that features Eisenberg, Gal Gadot, Affleck, Henry Cavill, and Amy Adams. Sounds like DC and WB are creating quite the stable for their little film that could. For their sake, let’s all hope that it works out in the end.
[via /Film]