We Wanted Heisnenberg, Not Eisenberg

Okay, I've been trusting of the casting for the Batman/Superman movie.   I have defended Batfleck to anyone who was skeptical.  I accepted Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, even though I have no idea who she is.

But Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor?

photo by Steve Rogers

I'm sorry, that is a bit too much.

Luthor is supposed to be Superman's great nemesis, not because of his strength, but because of his mind and his charisma.  As much as I love Gene Hackman's Luthor, he was not the comic book villain he should have been.  And Kevin Spacey's Luthor was just a retread of Hackman with just a little more menace.

But Hackman and Spacey had with them the gravitas that made us believe that they could stand eye to eye with a man of steel and not blink.

Eisenberg's most dramatic role is, arguably, his leading turn in The Social Network.  And while he expressed the coldness of a villain, there is just a bit too much immaturity to fill the role.

Everyone on the inter-webs knows that Bryan Cranston would have been perfect as Luthor.  I don't know if he was ever approached or would have even considered it.  But it would be easy to see a man like that being a force to fight Superman.


Check out this fan made trailer below, and tell me I'm wrong.

I think the choice of Eisenberg has completely overshadowed the casting of Jeremy Irons as Alfred.  Irons can be a great actor if he wants to be.  If he can channel his role from The Mission rather than Dungeons and Dragons, then there is a chance.

Thoughts?