I have to admit that Batman Vs. Superman has gone a long way towards imploding my interest in the traditional geek build up to tentpole films. The insanely fragmented, churning sea of rumors and speculation and reversals and flat bullshit has made it impossible to have any kind of clear view of what the project might be or how it might turn out. Way too many people with half-assed “insider” sources and think-piece upon think-piece about what rumors must mean and how WB’s strategy compares to Marvel’s… it’s been exhausting.
For that reason, clear and confirmed news directly from the source and featuring really interesting choices could not be more refreshing….
Via The Wrap, Zach Snyder has announced that both Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons will be joining the cast of his Man Of Steel follow-up. Eisenberg will play Lex Luthor, Irons will play Alfred Pennyworth.
Awesome.
Few would argue that Snyder doesn’t know how to cast a film, and a choice like Eisenberg is exactly why. A clear turn against the “what bald actor is hot right now” line of thinking, Eisenberg represents an actor who can stay true to the 
fundament of an iconic character while bringing something completely new. Luthor-As-Zuckberg is kind of the obvious conclusion here, which is a great idea. Updating Luthor from the old-school industrial capitalist to some kind of Utopian tech geek turned billionaire is truly inspired.
Meanwhile, Irons means we can look forward to an Alfred played again by a classical, rich actor from across the pond, but with a completely different sensibility from Michael Caine. Again, an inspired way of taking a left turn with a character that’s even more tightly sketched.
Irons and Affleck… great combo. Hit that link above to see Snyder’s statement on both choices.
The recently pushed film hits theaters on May 15th, 2016.
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