BvS Jesse Eisenberg IS Lex Luthor - Part 2

[Raiden]

Exactly. That's the source of his intimidation. His intelligence, his resources, and just how far he's willing to go to prove his point and achieve his goals. That's what worries Superman about Lex, not his physical appearance.

So why can't they cast an actor who not only has the intelligence, but also has that physical intimidation factor as Lex Luthor? I still don't think Eisenberg is the best possible choice to play Lex, and there are much better candidates out there.

 

[LEVITIKUZ]

Batman & Superman reacted about Lex casting.

 

[roach]

Rarely does anyone ever challenge Superman physicially and beats him, Zod tried that and ended up with a snapped neck. This Superman ain't playing around, he does what he has to. But the thing about Lex is, in a scenario where they're standing on equally powered, be it supes without powers of Lex in a powersuit, you wanna think that Lex is a SERIOUS challenge and even a deadly opposing force. A weak looking Lex dismisses that option immediately.

I think this is the thing that people are missing about Lex. The core of the Superman-Lex Luthor battle is brains vs brawn...god vs man (just like Batman-Joker is Order vs Chaos).

Lex doesn't need to look imposing...he doesn't need to look scary. It is Lex's intellect that is the threat here...not his size or muscles. When looking for an actor for Lex there should be only one consideration: Can this person play smart? Can this person play someone five-six-ten-steps ahead or whole chess games ahead of everybody else?

I know people are talking power suits and kryptonite...Snyder's words have convinced me we are going to get a Lex we haven't seen before.
"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."

 

[The Shape]

Exactly. That's the source of his intimidation. His intelligence, his resources, and just how far he's willing to go to prove his point and achieve his goals. That's what worries Superman about Lex, not his physical appearance.

Yep, and though it's hard to believe, we haven't even seen a Lex like that in a Superman live-action film before.

 

[elsewhere]

I still don't think Eisenberg is the best possible choice to play Lex, and there are much better candidates out there.

Of course there are.

I can walk out my front door and pick five random strangers off the street who are better suited for the role.

 

[BatLobster]

I completely see and get the juxtaposition they're going for. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm immediately in love with it.

 

[roach]

Lex being a serious challenge has nothing to do with his physical appearance and whether it's a comparison to Superman.

Neither John Rhea's or Michael Rosenbaum's were strong looking or looked like they could beat up the actors who played their Superman. It was machinations, mental and emotional challenges.

This a million times.

 

[Gee]

Mind over matter.

Don't mind his physique, it won't matter.

 

[antondlt]

Always has been, but that doesn't mean he should look small and frail, on the contrary.

Exactly, man. We need to see that Superman still fears Luthor despite what he looks like.

 

[roach]

Yep, and though it's hard to believe, we haven't even seen a Lex like that in a Superman live-action film before.

This casting choice leads me to believe his mind is going to be the true weapon here. This will not be a guy strapping into a suit of armor to fight Superman...he will be creating weapons and scenarios that Superman can't get out of or defeat.

 

[The Endless]

So is everyone assuming Eisenberg won't be hitting the gym at least to tone up a bit?

 

[Nathan]

Of course Lex's greatest weapon is his brain. But he should also be able to charm your pants off at dinner, while at the same time he might order someone's execution over the phone. If Eisenberg can pull that off, great. But I have my doubts.

 

[elsewhere]

So is everyone assuming Eisenberg won't be hitting the gym at least to tone up a bit?

He's a manlet. Hitting the gym isn't going to help.

 

[The Shape]

I completely see and get the juxtaposition they're going for. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm immediately in love with it.

I don't think many are immediately in love with it either. It's technically impossible to immediately love or hate something we haven't seen and know nothing about.

However, some folks (like myself) are seeing the potential here. The filmmakers obviously saw some serious potential in him, as well. Casting decisions like this are nothing to take lightly.

 

[roach]

So is everyone assuming Eisenberg won't be hitting the gym at least to tone up a bit?

How long does someone working out to tone up start to see results?

 

[Mike22]

Lex being a serious challenge has nothing to do with his physical appearance and whether it's a comparison to Superman.

Neither John Rhea's or Michael Rosenbaum's were strong looking or looked like they could beat up the actors who played their Superman. It was machinations, mental and emotional challenges.

You should not assume that I am not aware of this aspect. I am fully aware.
But in my case, I have a hard time believe that a man like luthor that excels in every other area wouldn't set a goal for himself to be as physically fit as he could.
Luthors mind is and always has been the dangerous thing about him, I just don't like the idea of him being so physically weak, it's inconsistent with his way of thinking. Lex in Smallville was actually very fit, and John shea's character went after superman with an axe. Those were not weak in any way. They stood face to face with their Superman on many occasions.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

Of course Lex's greatest weapon is his brain. But he should also be able to charm your pants of at dinner, while at the same time he might order someone's execution over the phone. If Eisenberg can pull that off, great. But I have my doubts.

Whether or not Lex could charm someone's pants off never really seemed to be important until post crisis. And even then, initially he wasn't the sexiest bald man alive.

 

[LEVITIKUZ]

Some people say mind over muscle. If that's true, why would he go to the gym? I thought he was all mind over muscle so why would he be building up muscle?

 

[roach]

Of course Lex's greatest weapon is his brain. But he should also be able to charm your pants of at dinner, while at the same time he might order someone's execution over the phone. If Eisenberg can pull that off, great. But I have my doubts.

What if this isn't that Lex?

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

So is everyone assuming Eisenberg won't be hitting the gym at least to tone up a bit?

I think he will go to the gym.

 

[antondlt]

Of course Lex's greatest weapon is his brain. But he should also be able to charm your pants of at dinner, while at the same time he might order someone's execution over the phone. If Eisenberg can pull that off, great. But I have my doubts.

This, my friend. This.

 

[The Shape]

This casting choice leads me to believe his mind is going to be the true weapon here. This will not be a guy strapping into a suit of armor to fight Superman...he will be creating weapons and scenarios that Superman can't get out of or defeat.

Maybe down the road this Lex will get his hands dirtier and step into the battle arena. We have to keep in mind there's a universe being built here. This isn't a one-and-done for Lex Luthor, and we'll likely be swing an evolution of the character just as we're seeing the evolution of Superman.

 

[The Endless]

How long does someone working out to tone up start to see results?

A month or so, depending on the diet and how much they are training. He doesn't need to be big, but I can see him getting a bit more meat on him.

 

[roach]

Some people say mind over muscle. If that's true, why would he go to the gym? I thought he was all mind over muscle so why would he be building up muscle?

I'd rather he not go to the gym...I don't see his role as the physical type role that requires him needing to work out.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

Some people say mind over muscle. If that's true, why would he go to the gym? I thought he was all mind over muscle so why would he be building up muscle?

Simple, he likes to keep himself physically fit. Just because he's a genius doesn't mean he has to be physically underwhelming. It just won't come down to muscle with Lex, unless he dons a powersuit down the line.