BATMAN VS SUPERMAN Casts Eisenberg As Luthor, Irons As Alfred

Were you expecting Bryan Cranston or Joaquin Phoenix to play Lex Luthor in Batman vs. Superman? Well prepare to be surprised in the biggest possible way! Warner Bros. has announced that Jesse Eisenberg will play Luthor in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel, while Jeremy Irons has been cast to play Alfred. Eisenberg is well known from such movies as The Social Network and Zombieland, while Irons has recently appeared in Beautiful Creatures and the TV series The Borgias. Eisenberg and Irons join Ben Affleck and Gal Gadot as new cast members, while Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane are set to return alongside Henry Cavill.

Esienberg joins the ranks of other actors who have played Luthor on-screen, including Gene Hackman, Kevin Spacey and Michael Rosenbaum. Director Zack Snyder said this about Eisenberg playing iconic villain:

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.

He also gave his thoughts on Irons, who will be replacing Michael Caine as Batman’s butler and trusted confidant.

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. 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.

Okay, I know I’ve said this before about other actors, but it definitely applies here: Eisenberg’s casting really came out of nowhere. For a movie has that produced an exorbitant amount of rumors in less than a year, I’m surprised that Eisenberg’s name didn’t come up once. Unless his casting happened last minute, I commend Warner Bros. and Zack Snyder for keeping it a secret.

I find it interesting that they cast Eisenberg, currently 30, to play a billionaire corporate mogul who has controlling interest in Metropolis (we saw his name plastered all over Metropolis during the epic fight between Clark and Zod). I know, it’s ironic I’m saying that considering he played Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, but there’s a difference between starting a social media site and running a worldwide industrial business. Still, as I’ve learned watching Jennifer Lawrence, age doesn’t have to hinder how an actor plays a role, so I’m hopeful that Eisenberg can portray that ruthlessness and obsession towards Superman exceptionally.

As for Irons, I’m pleased with that casting. I haven’t seen too many of his live-action roles, but I’m sure he’ll excel playing Batman’s trusted butler. I’m curious whether they’ll take a cue from Batman: Earth One and showcase some of Alfred’s military experience. This was alluded to in the Christopher Nolan movies but never shown.

Now please tell me there will be a second villain in the film. Lex Luthor’s fine and all, but Superman needs someone he can really fight, and Batman in armor doesn’t count! Warner Bros, I’ll expect your announcement for Metallo or Parasite joining the the film soon.

Here’s the full press release below:

Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Jesse Eisenberg has been set to star as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons will play Alfred in the upcoming Zack Snyder untitled Superman/Batman film. The dual announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Snyder stated, “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.”

The director added, “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. 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 façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne.”

Snyder’s film stars Henry Cavill, reprising his role as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. The film also reunites “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

The new film is currently being written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

The film is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.

SOURCE: Variety