You know what’s better than a million Batman vs. Superman casting rumors? A billion Batman vs. Superman casting rumors. Even better than that? Real, confirmed casting news straight from Warner Bros.! Well, today is your lucky day – or not, depending on how you take what comes next – because Warner Bros. announced in a press release that it has cast Jesse Eisenberg as Superman’s nemesis Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons as Batman’s trusty butler Alfred. Prepare for the comment section to explode like Metropolis in Man of Steel in 3…2…1…
Here’s the official press release:
BURBANK, CA, January 31, 2014 – 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.â€
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.â€
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.
The announcement of both Ben Affleck as Batman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman sent fans into a tizzy, prompting some overzealous types to sign petitions to have them removed from the iconic roles, so one wonders how this news will be taken. As much fun as I’ve had doing Michael Caine impressions over the last several years, Jeremy Irons seems like he’ll make a fine Alfred, perhaps showing an edge to Batman’s trusted valet that hasn’t been seen in past iterations. As for Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, I’ll admit that I was surprised; not because I can’t picture as a younger Lex Luthor — I totally can — but because I genuinely thought they would be going for a slightly older actor for the alopecia-afflicted villain. That being said, imagining Lex Luthor as Mark Zuckerberg with kryptonite sounds pretty excellent, especially for a modern interpretation of the megalomaniacal Man of Steel menace.
What do you think of the casting news? Let us know in the comments below or tell me on Twitter.
For more on the casting announcement check out the latest Nerdist News with Jessica Chobot:
Here is yet another movie I will never watch…its funny seeing who they keep adding to the mix. I’m sure it will be as good as the Phantom Menace, Ishtar, etc…
fine w/ me. now, let’s get miley cyrus to play lois lane, and maybe we’ll just reinvent robin as a pug (I’m thinking Frank from MiB here) for a cameo. they could event throw up a shout out to the softbound crossover from the eighties where batman and superman had to stop the hulk on one of his rampages. bruce banner would be portrayed by one of the folks from little people, big world, and the hulk would be portrayed by DJ Qualls!
Interesting. Well, all I can do is wait and see. I never would have expected Michael Keaton to be a bad ass Batman, but he was. I’ll judge after I’ve seen the movie. These are all great actors, in my opinion. Although I really enjoyed Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. It would have been cool to see him take up the role again.
I will have a harder time watching this now just because I will be eating for Alfred to stab Batman in the back at some point. At Least when Irons mentions working as a soldier of fortune in the movie I won’t be taken so off guard. Eisenberg I just don’t see being that compelling to carry a film against Superman and a Man Dressed as a Bat. But Heath Ledger.
This movie keeps getting much better. In a Plan 9 from Outer Space way.
The more I think on this, the more I can actually see this working. Imagine a younger Luthor, having spent his early life being the smartest guy around and building his business empire to the point where he has some serious political power. He’s the focus of magazines and newspapers around the world, especially in Metropolis.
Like Eisenberg’s Social Network protrayal of Mark Zuckerberg, Luthor would think he was smarter than everyone, he would be arrogant, have a cruel side, but also be a deep character with serious flaws. All traits that worked for Eisenberg in TSN.
Now Superman comes along and Luthor is no longer the main attraction. This alien comes along and has this knock-down, drag out fight with another alien that destroys a huge part of Luthor’s city. This movie could take place not long after Man of Steel ended, with Luthor trying to drum up public approval in his war against Superman. I dunno, I think it has some teeth.
Damn. So no Rosenbaum? I’m sure Eisenberg will do just fine.
Eisenberg intimidates nobody. Lex has gravitas… he has none.
Another horrible casting, Jesse Eisenberg for Lex Luthor not very intimidating I think they got these characters backwards. besides Luthor was a lot older in the comics not young hipster looking kid. This movie is going to be a major Hollywood train wreck but I’ll still go see it
Eisenberg is a fantastic actor that can pull off confident and sleazy very well. I’m with it.
With Jesse Eisenberg cast as Lex Luthor, it looks as if Snyder is pulling from Birthright. In the book both Lex and Clark are just about the same age. He’s reclusive, concise and fascinated about alien life (specifically Krypton). Irons as Alfred isn’t surprising, he’s been talked about before as a possible Alfred. Yay, we’re going to get a far smarter Lex than Hackman and Spacey.
Based on Eisenberg’s amazing performance in Zombieland, I see him more as an awesomely humble and bumbling “Otis.”
#butts
Jesse Eisenberg, Lex Luthor… WHAT!? I just can’t see it.
Jeremy Irons as Alfred however I can see him (since he’s 20 years younger than Michael Caine) as a tougher more Action-y Alfred…
it’s just gonna be hard for me to get over this Lex Luther hump, just have to wait and see I suppose.
I can see both in the parts. Think i like the casting. They are both accomplished actors.
This would also make the actors playing lex and Kal the same age, which i think works well.
i say screw it.. recast superman with Ian Zeiring.. if theyre gonna go down in flames at least it something to watch on Syfy
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m fine with Irons though.
Eisenberg REALLY?
Eisenberg??’ REALLY??
Good for them, I hope it turns out great.
Irons will be great as Alfred. Eisenberg, yeessh…he has been great in everything he has been in, but as Lex. I don’t know. What about Cranston?!
But…umm….huh?
Alright, in the words of Hardwick, don’t knock something until you see it I guess.
thats a shame, i was looking forward to seeing it.. good idea keeps getting worse and worse ..oh well.
Maybe they could push it back to…oh…let’s say….2025?
This is an obvious ploy by WB to distract fans from the Batfleck debacle. Luthor is a billionaire inventor industrialist, not a hoodie wearing douche-bag. Why is Alfred so damned easy to cast, whilst the main characters are cast by dimwits?
i think Eisenberg could pull off a decent Lex. He’d probably look the part better with a shaved head.