Some fans strongly oppose Eisenberg's casting as the villain, but others are interested to see how the typically-geeky actor will pull it off.
- Feb 1, 2014
AceShowbiz - Two actors are added to the cast of "Man of Steel 2". "The Social Network" actor Jesse Eisenberg is cast as Superman's infamous archenemy Lex Luthor, and "The Borgias" star Jeremy Irons is tapped as Bruce Wayne's loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth.
While Warner Bros.' choice to have Irons as Batman's butler seemed to get approved by fans, they gave mixed responses to the Eisenberg casting as the villainous business magnate. Some were intrigued, others were perplexed, and then there were the furious ones.
Lesley Pena wrote, "Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor is a bold/brilliant choice. I know people don't see it but he can pull it off. A young, smart Lex - I'm sold!" Eunice Hong posted, "Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor in superman vs batman? I love him, but can't picture it! Excited though!"
Another Twitter user by the name Jason Dnalsflogni, however, deadpanned, "Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if they cast Justin Bieber as Robin." Kara, meanwhile, mocked, "Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor? Who's producing this movie? Nickelodeon?"
"Breaking Bad" actor Bryan Cranston was previously tipped as a contender for the villainous role, and some fans were disappointed that he was not picked. "Why would you EVER cast Jesse Eisenberg instead of Bryan Cranston as Lex Luther," one tweeted, while another wrote, "I think Bryan Cranston should be the next lex luthor. Not Jesse Eisenberg. What is with the casting choices with the next superman movie."
In their defense, director Zack Snyder said, "Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman's rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940. What's great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain."
"He's a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions."
As for Irons' casting as Batman's butler, Snyder explained, "As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne's most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman."
The director went on, "It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious facade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne."
Henry Cavill and Amy Adams are back as Man of Steel and his girlfriend Lois Lane respectively. Ben Affleck joins the cast as the Dark Knight, and Gal Gadot is added as Wonder Woman. The Superman vs. Batman film just got pushed back from July 17, 2015 to May 6, 2016. "Argo" screenwriter Chris Terrio is tapped to polish the script.
Back in October last year, Eisenberg was asked about the superhero film when he was doing a media tour for his movie "The Double (2014)" with director Richard Ayoade. He looked uncomfortable and was a bit squirming in his seat, as he let Ayoade do most of the talking.
