Regardless of how you feel about director Zack Snyder’s (Man of Steel, Watchmen) casting of Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), and Aquaman (Jason Momoa), it is hard to deny that he at least has a vision. With the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman we are clearly getting a veteran version of the crime-fighter, who is experienced and perhaps a little world-weary from a lifetime of vigilantism. According to recent comments from Gadot, Wonder Woman may not look like a physical specimen, however she will be retaining her trademark sources of pride and empowerment. While Momoa’s Aquaman looks to be a fierce underwater warrior, who you would not want to cross on land or at sea.
Another example of creative casting that created a stir was for the role of Lex Luthor. Despite rumors of middle-aged thespians such as Bryan Cranston and Joaquin Phoenix being up for the role, Snyder went with an actor that was not on anybody’s radar, Jesse Eisenberg. The actor had begun to transform his image and extend his acting range with his Academy Award nominated performance as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network. However, he was probably more mistaken for Michael Cera, than an evil mastermind plotting world domination.
Eisenberg has talked briefly in the past about what attracted him to the role of Luthor and the trust that he had in Snyder’s vision. The director recently commented to EW about his interpretation of the character and how Superman’s ultimate adversary will be portrayed.
“He’s not any of the Lexes that you’ve seen, that’s for sure, other than him being a captain of industry and one person to the world and another person to himself. And bald, of course. Our Lex is disarming and he’s not fake. He says what he believes and he says what’s on his mind. If you can unravel the string and decipher what he means, it’s all there.”
It sounds as if we will be getting a determined and focused Luthor that addresses the public in double speak. So for example, if he is talking about ridding the world of dangerous nuisances, he will mean it. However in his eyes, alien beings such as Superman are the threats. It could also possibly mean that a Keyser Soze type twist is in store for the characters in film. Where Luthor is spelling out his plan throughout the movie unbeknownst to everyone, possibly even the viewer. In any case, the fact that you have to “unravel the string and decipher” what he says, is a clear indication that he will be up to his trademark manipulative ways.
The newly released picture should give fans a sigh of relief, as the first photo of Eisenberg as Luthor shows that he has the look and intensity to pull off the character. However, Snyder warns that this is a version that we have not seen before. Snyder’s comments indicate that there will be an effort to modernize the villain and make him relatable to today’s iconography. Grace Randolph over at Beyond the Trailer, astutely noticed that the picture does seem to bring to mind the iconic photo of Steve Jobs. This is probably an indication that this version of Luthor will be more scientifically inclined and at the forefront of technology development, much like he is in the comics.
There have also been strong rumors that this incarnation of Luthor will have had humble beginnings running the streets before “reforming.” It seems that the picture is also supposed to bring to mind a prison mug shot as well. The photo gets across a level of menace and intimidation that Luthor is known for, while there is a clear intelligence behind his eyes. It will be a treat to see that piercing glare directed at the Man of Steel in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice next year.
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Source: EW, Joblo Art by Darren1987
BONUS: What Attracted Jesse Eisenberg to the Role of Lex Luthor