BvS Jesse Eisenberg IS Lex Luthor - Part 8

[moviefreak]

hackman is certainly a great actor, but he went a little more camp, which i suppose is fitting for the reeve movies. i'm hopeful eisenberg will knock it out of the park. i love the way he delivers his line in the trailer. he sounds like a mixture between luthor and glorious godfrey.

IIRC, it was intentional with the three acts setup for Superman TM (Krypton, Smallville, Metropolis) according to Tom Mankeiwicz. They played it serious in the first, Rockwellian mood in the second and slap-stick in the third. They were setting it up for the sequel when it will become deadly serious with the arrival of the three Kryptonian villains. Their version of Superman II would have been much more dramatic than Superman TM with big battle set-pieces that would have blew off the Lester's version.

In a way, we never really got any further with Hackman's Lex Luthor. He was more than capable of playing it serious - it was only about a year after his performance in French Connection II when Superman TM went into pre-production.

 

[John-An]

hackman is certainly a great actor, but he went a little more camp, which i suppose is fitting for the reeve movies. i'm hopeful eisenberg will knock it out of the park. i love the way he delivers his line in the trailer. he sounds like a mixture between luthor and glorious godfrey.

 

[BatmanVSuperman]

Shea in the first season of Lois and Clark, and Rosenbaum were excellent. I'm betting we get close to Rosenbaum but maybe a little more edge and less charm.

 

[AnneFan]

I think Jesse can be effective in the part. A taunting, relentless, violent man who is driven to be in control. We haven't really seen any of that properly in the films.

 

[Zur-en-Arrh]

IIRC, it was intentional with the three acts setup for Superman TM (Krypton, Smallville, Metropolis) according to Tom Mankeiwicz. They played it serious in the first, Rockwellian mood in the second and slap-stick in the third. They were setting it up for the sequel when it will become deadly serious with the arrival of the three Kryptonian villains. Their version of Superman II would have been much more dramatic than Superman TM with big battle set-pieces that would have blew off the Lester's version.

In a way, we never really got any further with Hackman's Lex Luthor. He was more than capable of playing it serious - it was only about a year after his performance in French Connection II when Superman TM went into pre-production.

thanks for such a great reply, very informative stuff!

 

[DOBSON10]

A taunting, relentless, violent man who is driven to be in control.

Those are three characteristics I would never put into the same sentence with Jesse Eisenberg. I just have an extremely difficult time thinking he can pull any of those off convincingly.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Those are three characteristics I would never put into the same sentence with Jesse Eisenberg. I just have an extremely difficult time thinking he can pull any of those off convincingly.

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I would say he's pretty taunting and relentless in these scenes. Violent? He's not really been in films outside of Zombieland or 30 Minutes Or Less where that would even be a possibility for the part he's playing, and even then, the tone of those films is humorous.

I understand being somewhat skeptical of him in the part, but I feel he has great potential in the part. Not to mention we still don't know exactly how the Goyer/Terrio story handles Lex like to begin with. I do hope he surprises us.

 

[DOBSON10]

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I would say he's pretty taunting and relentless in these scenes. Violent? He's not really been in films outside of Zombieland or 30 Minutes Or Less where that would even be a possibility for the part he's playing, and even then, the tone of those films is humorous.

I understand being somewhat skeptical of him in the part, but I feel he has great potential in the part. Not to mention we still don't know exactly how the Goyer/Terrio story handles Lex like to begin with. I do hope he surprises us.

I've seen all his movies, not buying it for a second. We have a VERY different definition of taunting and relentless, because that was neither for me. Not sure why everyone assumes any person that thinks he's not fit for this role automatically assumes that person hasn't seen him act or something. There is nothing taunting, relentless, violent, intimidating, merciless, etc. etc. etc. about Jesse Eisenberg, not unless you're making a parity movie. Again, he's a good actor but nothing about his acting abilities, appearance, voice or otherwise seems like a good fit for a villain. Quite the opposite. Being a good actor doesn't mean you can play any role, some roles just don't fit.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I've seen all his movies, not buying it for a second. We have a VERY different definition of taunting and relentless, because that was neither for me. Not sure why everyone assumes any person that thinks he's not fit for this role automatically assumes that person hasn't seen him act or something. There is nothing taunting, relentless, violent, intimidating, merciless, etc. etc. etc. about Jesse Eisenberg, not unless you're making a parity movie. Again, he's a good actor but nothing about his acting abilities, appearance, voice or otherwise seems like a good fit for a villain. Quite the opposite. Being a good actor doesn't mean you can play any role, some roles just don't fit.

I wasn't IN THE LEAST assuming you haven't seen his films... Though to be fair, how would I know if you had or hadn't?

As for taunting... You really don't think he was at all taunting, and flaunting his character's superiority in the scenes posted? You don't think that he showed a relentless attitude in the manner he approached the people he's talking too? Cuz, especially in the NYSM and SN clips, he doesn't just have a quip or two as a come back, he kinda demolishes the people he's talking to verbally. That's relentless... And taunting. At least to me. Violent is what is up in the air, and as I said... He's not done too many films where it's been required of him.

Strokes and folks though.

 

[DOBSON10]

I wasn't IN THE LEAST assuming you haven't seen his films... Though to be fair, how would I know if you had or hadn't?

Yeah, sorry, it's just that everyone points out those 2 scenes from Now You See Me and Social Network every time I say anything about Eisenberg, it can get frustrating.

As for taunting... You really don't think he was at all taunting, and flaunting his character's superiority in the scenes posted? You don't think that he showed a relentless attitude in the manner he approached the people he's talking too? Cuz, especially in the NYSM and SN clips, he doesn't just have a quip or two as a come back, he kinda demolishes the people he's talking to verbally. That's relentless... And taunting. At least to me. Violent is what is up in the air, and as I said... He's not done too many films where it's been required of him.

Strokes and folks though.

To the extent of those particular scenes, yes to a degree, but not remotely close to the degree I envision for character of Lex Luthor. He still comes off as more smart alecky than commanding in those scenes, like a nerd that thinks his vastly superior because he knows more about Science than you do. Lex should definitely have some of that within the character, but he should give off an aura of dominance rather than just being a know-it-all that can out talk you with facts. That's what I don't think Eisenberg can pull off. But maybe that's not what they want out of this version of Luthor, but that's just as disappointing for me personally.

It's one thing to do that to a room full of Lawyers and College kids in Social Network, this character will have to do it to superhero's, henchmen in his employ, fellow criminals and possibly Government/Military types. That's where it falls apart for me. Even at 31 years old, Eisenberg still comes off as very boyish and in the company of superhero's/criminals makes him seem so completely out of place. Trying to pass him off as a dominant figure in this setting is going to be very hard to be convincing.

 

[DOBSON10]

For example, there was a rumor early on in the filming process that Lex Luthor will have a scene where he "dresses down" Holly Hunter's Senator character. Now, given what we know about Hunter as an actress, is there any version of an argument between her and Eisenberg where you can see him coming off as the more domineering screen presence in comparison to Hunter? I don't see it unless they make Hunter tone it down or give up without much of a fight. Same goes for Viola Davis if he really does have a cameo in Suicide Squad. Same goes for every actor in this movie playing a main character, they all have more domineering screen presences than Eisenberg. Luthor is supposed to have that aura of dominance and a domineering personality, at least when he's not trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes in public. Eisenberg doesn't have that type of on screen presence IMO.

 

[theotherme]

To the extent of those particular scenes, yes to a degree, but not remotely close to the degree I envision for character of Lex Luthor. He still comes off as more smart alecky than commanding in those scenes, like a nerd that thinks his vastly superior because he knows more about Science than you do. Lex should definitely have some of that within the character, but he should give off an aura of dominance rather than just being a know-it-all that can out talk you with facts. That's what I don't think Eisenberg can pull off. But maybe that's not what they want out of this version of Luthor, but that's just as disappointing for me personally.

Is he going to come across as physically intimidating/dominant? No. But I don't think that's the point. I think one of the themes we're going to see played with in this movie is the nature of power, and the different forms it can take. Jesse's Lex is more likely to be the smug, sneering little jerk you just want to punch in the face - but you can't. Like fighting a system, or bureaucracy - he represents something different. Which personally, I think is kind of cool and I'm curious to see where they go with it.

 

[Zur-en-Arrh]

agree completely theotherme.

 

[chamber-music]

I think Jesse Eisenberg's Lex will be smug, vindictive, charming and ruthless.

Jesse Eisenberg's 'evil doppelgänger' in The Double is a lot of what his Lex will be like I imagine.

 

[BatmanVSuperman]

I don't know how charming he will play him. I suppose in public eye he will put on a good show. I definitely feel he will be awesome at smug, vindictive, ruthless, manipulative Lex.

 

[BatmanVSuperman]

agree completely theotherme.

Lex being strong and muscular doesn't matter. His strength is his mind and his ability to influence/manipulate others.

 

[John-An]

But... but... what about the superpower of him being a Mike Tyson (speaking and appeareance) type

 

[The Sage]

Lex's intimidation comes from his intellect and resources. I never saw him as someone physically intimidating.

He's like your boss: someone you'd like to take a swing at or badmouth, but you won't because there would be consequences. You know, if your boss pissed you off.

 

[DOBSON10]

I never said anything about him being physically intimidating. That ship sailed when they picked one of the least physically imposing actors in Hollywood. I wouldn't bother trying to have that argument because he is physically incapable of being intimidating in that way.

As I pointed out in my very last post, I'm talking about him giving off a domineering aura through his screen presence. His cadence, his delivery, his mannerisms, his vocal inflection, his tone. Particularly when set against the other actors in this movie.

 

[regwec]

Are these posts boring to type?

 

[Astro13Zombie]

Are these posts boring to type?

 

[DOBSON10]

And right back to the smartass comments because there isn't possibly anything to be negative about, this movie will be 100% flawless and no one should ever question anything about it. Thanks for your valuable contribution to this thread.

 

[Tra-El]

Eisenberg is the rat looking type you just want to get your hands on and strangle, especially when he's in a cocky and ruthless tongue-lashing mode. He can manipulate you with words and force you into anger driven circles because he's that good enough intellectually where he will out-wit you and force you into losing your composure.

He's not intimidating on the surface, but as soon as you stand up to him face to face he will rip your tongue completely out of your throat with words. He's a man of power in a completely untouchable way.

That's a Lex Luthor I'm HIGHLY looking forward to and Jesse can pull it off flawlessly.

 

[DOBSON10]

Eisenberg is the rat looking type you just want to get your hands on and strangle, especially when he's in a cocky and ruthless tongue-lashing mode. He can manipulate you with words and force you into anger driven circles because he's that good enough intellectually where he will out-wit you and force you into losing your composure.

He's not intimidating on the surface, but as soon as you stand up to him face to face he will rip your tongue completely out of your throat with words. He's a man of power in a completely untouchable way.

That's a Lex Luthor I'm HIGHLY looking forward to and Jesse can pull it off flawlessly.

At least that response makes sense, I don't necessarily agree with it but it makes sense.

 

[Tra-El]

At least that response makes sense, I don't necessarily agree with it but it makes sense.

It's very easy to see why some might not agree with it when it comes to the casting of Eisenberg as Lex. Eisenberg is a specific actor that can pull off some awesome acting moments. He's very talented and Lex Luthor, to many, is a man of great power and ambition that's contagious and more importantly, dangerous to those who stand against him so I can see one being put off when it comes to the Eisenberg casting (for the obvious reasons).

That said, they are aiming for something specific here and are giving us a Lex Luthor that vacant's our mind of what we expect from a Lex Luthor. In this case, Eisenberg's Luthor falls into the "context is everything" category so I hope they put him in position to win over his critics. Fortunately, he's that damn good of an actor to pull that off.