It’s learned that Jesse Eisenberg was actually up for a different role in Batman Vs. Superman as the latest issue of Total Film Magazine reveals the script was tweaked when Eisenberg was cast as Luthor.
The article notes director Zack Snyder “initially met Eisenberg for another part, having been previously discussing ‘the usual suspects that you’d imagine for Lex'” (editor’s note: I was told Bryan Cranston, and that he changed his mind). The article goes on to state that following Snyder having met with Eisenberg for the other role, Snyder “couldn’t shake the idea” of casting Eisenberg as the big bad of Batman Vs. Superman, with it said Chris Terrio tweaked the script to accommodate the 32-year-old Eisenberg (seemingly insinuating an older Lex was in the David Goyer script at first?).
Eisenberg also commented on playing Luthor with the article mentioning Lex has minimal green screen, but lots of dialogue and scenes with Holly Hunter, who is playing a Senator in the film.
“He is a lot of things we know about this character,” Eisenberg offered. “What’s unusual about this character in this version is he looks a lot like me. It’s a very modern take on this otherwise historic and iconic character. He has a, I would say, recognizably modern psychology, whether it’s being used to charm or destroy, and has a kind of… erm… it’s difficult to phrase it. He doesn’t sound like this, by the way [laughs].”
Eisenberg also says that his Luthor doesn’t get along too well with Affleck in the movie.
“It’s strange acting with people like Ben Affleck, having to condescend to someone like him [laughs]. Of set, you’re thinking of this person in reverential terms, and then on set I condescend him, really quite nasty…”
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” has a March 25, 2016 release starring Ben Affleck as Batman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, Ray Fisher as Cyborg with Callan Mulvey, Holly Hunter as Senator Finch and Tao Okamoto as Mercy Graves. Justice League is to follow directed by Zack Snyder as well.
Synopsis:
Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.
