The Official Lex Luthor Casting Thread - Part 6

[Rodrigo90]

It's fine really, it's just that I don't like the sound of his voice for some reason, it sounds odd.

And I was thinking that as well actually A British Lex would be pretty cool.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

Fassbender and Phoenix meet this criteria too but a bonafide star like Craig playing Lex is intimidating at multiple levels!

 

[Rodrigo90]

I loved his crazy performance in The Jacket actually.

When I look at the performances of Hackman and Spacey...I see camp.

I want to Lex in this franchise, have those over the top moments, but just to show that he's not all together there.

Craig could easily pull off a Rosenbaum Lex...And Rosenbaum had his moments as Lex, he wasn't all serious and dark...there were times he had this bubbling psychotic character beneath the surface of his cool and collected self.

Watching Craig in The Jacket as that loon, and watching him as Bond, makes me think he could definitely portray the Lex that we want on film.

 

[Lex Luthor]

problem with pierce is he is that obvious villain kind of like matthew goode in watchmen

he doesn't have that likability that i want for lex

Personally, there are a number of films I found Guy Pierce's likeability just fine. Depending on the film and character of course.

With being obvious, I don't really see that as an issue. The second Lex Luthor makes his appearance, fans and even the most casual of fans alike, know what he is to Superman. It's more to do with how their relationship/rivalry is handled and dealt with in this new cinematic universe that will be one of the determining factors with just how well Lex is ultimately received.

Not to say Pierce is the only name I would consider, but I find him to be a viable option.

Same with Craig.

 

[Project862006]

^i agree i kind of want lex to have the charisma and likeability to him to be able to fool people of his true intentions

kind of like the Governor in the walking dead

 

[Rowsdower!]

Personally, there are a number of films I found Guy Pierce's likeability just fine. Depending on the film and character of course.

With being obvious, I don't really see that as an issue. The second Lex Luthor makes his appearance, fans and even the most casual of fans alike, know what he is to Superman. It's more to do with how their relationship/rivalry is handled and dealt with in this new cinematic universe that will be one of the determining factors with just how well Lex is ultimately received.

Not to say Pierce is the only name I would consider, but I find him to be a viable option.

Same with Craig.

Yeah, Pearce can be quite likeable when he wants to be. Hell, Lockout was a crap movie but his charismatic performance made it fun to watch.

On the other hand, he can be absolutely REPULSIVE when he wants to be... I literally HATED him in Lawless because he was so vicious and creepy. That was one of the best and most overlooked performances of the year.

 

[Rodrigo90]

Pearce is unique in that regard.

But like the Fass...he's Marvel's boy now. WB won't go there I don't think.

 

[godisawesome]

I like Fassbender and Pearce, but I still want to see more "good-guy" stereotyped actors brought into discussion. We've suggested Matt Damon, and I think he stills shows more potential for being an unexpected but charismatic and experienced older villain for Clark. Fassbender and Pearce's biggest advantages that I see are that people will immediately accept them as bad-guys, but I want someone who the audience may find themselves momentarily believing and trusting as having heroic moments, and I think Matt Damon's got a better shot at that.

Mostly this has to do with how the Lex is written. If he takes mostly after the DCAU Lex, than a traditionally heavy actor fits the role better. If he takes more after Smallville's Lex, than a less expected actor should get the job.

And age itself is a huge component of the casting. We're suggesting mostly actors who are visibly older than Cavill, so we're kind of expecting a more entrenched and veteran villain in Lex. I'd probably be interested if they instead went for someone closer to Cavill's age just to make it seem more like a struggle of peers. Imagine someone like JGL seizing Metropolis and being just as energetic as Superman and visibly ambitious.

 

[Coca Cola Duracell Franklin.]

Brandon Routh could make a good Lex Luthor.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

^^Happy New Year!

I think you have had one too many of them drinks!

 

[aNarcHy2day]

^i agree i kind of want lex to have the charisma and likeability to him to be able to fool people of his true intentions

kind of like the Governor in the walking dead

Think Craig and Phoenix could definitely do that!

 

[SuperMike335!!]

I like Fassbender and Pearce, but I still want to see more "good-guy" stereotyped actors brought into discussion. We've suggested Matt Damon, and I think he stills shows more potential for being an unexpected but charismatic and experienced older villain for Clark. Fassbender and Pearce's biggest advantages that I see are that people will immediately accept them as bad-guys, but I want someone who the audience may find themselves momentarily believing and trusting as having heroic moments, and I think Matt Damon's got a better shot at that.

Mostly this has to do with how the Lex is written. If he takes mostly after the DCAU Lex, than a traditionally heavy actor fits the role better. If he takes more after Smallville's Lex, than a less expected actor should get the job.

And age itself is a huge component of the casting. We're suggesting mostly actors who are visibly older than Cavill, so we're kind of expecting a more entrenched and veteran villain in Lex. I'd probably be interested if they instead went for someone closer to Cavill's age just to make it seem more like a struggle of peers. Imagine someone like JGL seizing Metropolis and being just as energetic as Superman and visibly ambitious.

That's why I suggested Robert Pattinson.

Shia Labeouf would be a VERY odd choice, BUT if the guy can come across as imposing, dominant, and charasmatic, who knows?

It's called acting for a reason. - maybe not his price tag however.

I do like the suggestion of giving a typical more "good guy" actor a chance to shrug off the typecast.

 

[flickchick85]

I've always felt like someone being a good candidate for Batman would automatically mean they're good candidates for Luthor for that very reason - they should be believable as a "good guy." Batman requires someone who's a believable hero but also seems capable of true darkness under the surface, someone who can exude confidence, and alternatively, steely intensity. They both fool the public into thinking they're charming billionaires, and they're both masking their much darker true selves.

People I like for Batman include Michael Fassbender, Jon Hamm, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Edgar Ramirez, Philip Winchester and Lee Pace...and I think they'd all make excellent Luthors.

That said, I don't think it works the other way around - People who would make excellent Luthors wouldn't automatically make for great Batmans. I wouldn't consider Phoenix, Strong, Pearce, Craig, etc. to be good Batman candidates, even though I like them for Lex.

 

[TDK elbowstrike]

I certainly wouldn't mind them casting someon closer to Cavills age. I honestly think its the best way to go. Although I agree you can't go wrong with Fassbender. He would be a phenominal Lex.

 

[Project862006]

^well fassbender is only like 5 years older than henry and they dont look much different age wise

 

[Rodrigo90]

It won't be Fassbender. If Nolan wasn't involved with the franchise and if he wasn't already Magneto, I'd say there was a chance of it.

You want somebody unique for this, not someone who's another big villain in a rival production. Sure, we've had it Reynolds...but I feel it's a cheap experience to do that.

And Fassbender would have made a great Lex.

I may be wrong, but I know Nolan's influence is in this...the casting is his work. All star, unique.

 

[GENERAL RAAM582]

What do you mean if Nolan wasn't involved? Does he not like Fassbender?

 

[Majik1387]

It won't be Fassbender. If Nolan wasn't involved with the franchise and if he wasn't already Magneto, I'd say there was a chance of it.

You want somebody unique for this, not someone who's another big villain in a rival production. Sure, we've had it Reynolds...but I feel it's a cheap experience to do that.

And Fassbender would have made a great Lex.

I may be wrong, but I know Nolan's influence is in this...the casting is his work. All star, unique.

You must be joking.

 

[Rodrigo90]

Well to narrow it...unique as in, actors who haven't appeared in Marvel movies. Will they look there, looking at TDK trilogy and MOS casting?

 

[Majik1387]

Well to narrow it...unique as in, actors who haven't appeared in Marvel movies. Will they look there, looking at TDK trilogy and MOS casting?

Something Nolan had little to nothing to do with.

And the TDK trilogy didn't have any actors that WB hasn't had the quality of before in their Batman movies.

 

[Herolee10]

Curious; IF Lex were to be introduced in later films, would you guys prefer him to be the Corporate CEO of Lexcorp or a politician/President of the US?

 

[BH/HHH]

I'd want Corporate CEO myself but I could see them maybe giving him a role like he had in action comics where he liaises with the government.

 

[elgaz]

Corporate Lex, with political aspirations and connections.

I think by going down that route you have so much potential. Think about it - Superman has appeared on the scene, he's been embraced by the American people, and he's a breath of fresh air - honest, moral, uncorruptible, virtuous - everything humanity aspires to be.

Suddenly the American populace (or indeed, any populace) can no longer look at their political leaders in the same way; their 'good guy' acts look forced and contrived in this changed world that now has a Superman in it. The government is no longer their only hope or their only defender in times of need. Inspired by Superman's example, they begin to question their political leaders more and are no longer prepared to stand for the corruption, lies and deceit which seem ingrained in politics.

Then along comes Lex, who is a hugely successful businessman with aspirations for the presidency. He's got a very skewered moral perspective (perhaps not out and out evil, but certainly a power-hungry, selfish, means-justifies-the-end kinda guy) and corruption is second nature for him. His entire nature is opposed to Superman's. Unlike Zod, he can never physically take on Superman, so it's always going to be a game of strategy and intelligence for him. He realises that in order to make politicans like himself look good again, Superman has to look bad. And Lex is one of the few people with the motives and the resources to actually make that happen.

I think Lex in a modern film has to have some political link and not just be a CEO - it gives a great driving force for his hatred of Superman.

 

[godisawesome]

I kind of want the ultimate amalgamation Lex.

A big Corporate CEO, third to first richest man in the world, beloved celebrity of Metropolis, genius scientist able to keep up the old silver age shenanigans, patient Machiavellian manipulator who runs for President partially just to screw with Superman. Hails from Smallville, was once an aquaintance of Clark when they were both just barely teenagers. Came on to the Metropolis scene about three years ago with a brand spanking new company formed after the "tragic death" of his wife, the Contessa Alexandra De Portenza (actual character from the comics), who he in fact keeps in a medical coma in case he needs a donor for himself or his daughter, Lena Luthor. Has a messed up father-daughter relationship as he philosophically rebels at the idea of unconditional love, and thus becomes enraged when Lena begins to be a fan of Superman. Has Hope and Mercy as his bodyguards, and their both probably actual Amazons from Themiscyra.

Acts like a weird combination of DCAU Lex (calm, suave, always planning something but being subtle enough about it he's fun to watch) and Smallville Lex (serious issues under the surface, has to lie to himself to keep being evil and as a result places blame on Superman for everything).

 

[Lex Luthor]

A extremely successful, inventor, and corporate CEO with strong ties to both the Government, as well as influential political figures. Lex's public perception, as it goes, would be that of something that would be considered nearly impeccable. Thanks in large part to his numerous creative inventions and products essentially changing the way people go about their everyday lives, in addition to his widespread influence on various forms of media.