The Official Lex Luthor Casting Thread

[Rust]

You cant state something like that and not back it up with something.

 

[gillberg2k1]

You cant state something like that and not back it up with something.

Haha, well I just did!

Actually, I haven't heard anything at all in regards to Luthor (or if he's even going to have a large part in this film). Most of the talk has been about big blue.

The only reason I'm thinking it won't happen is due to MGM finally getting things back on track for Bond. I'm not sure when they plan on shooting, but my understanding was that it would be fairly soon, as they're looking to release Bond 23 in November.

 

[The Question]

Here were my thoughts on how I'd like Luthor to be portrayed, from the "Character Portrayal" thread:

LEX LUTHOR
I'm open to him being either a Machiavellian business tycoon, or a mad scientist supervillain, as I don't think either portrayal has really been done full justice on the screen before. Perhaps - tying into my previous post - he starts out as beloved CEO of Lexcorp, but it's the dogged, determined journalism of the Daily Planet and Lois Lane in particular that ultimately brings him down and has him recast as a feared and hated villain in future films.

But whatever incarnation he's in, there are certain qualities I want to see. Lex Luthor thinks he's the hero. None of this Gene Hackman "I'm so evil, the greatest criminal mind in the world, BWAHAHAHA!" stuff. He sees himself as Prometheus, stealing fire from the gods and bringing it down to man. He thinks that if only he can get rid of Superman then he can cure cancer and end world hunger and be the adored leader of a utopia of scientific future-people. But that's not true. He's incredibly intelligent, a genius even, but he's not as smart as he thinks he is. His own deficiencies, his own deeply personal shortcomings and inadequacies, mean that no amount of praise, no amount of validation, no amount of recognition can ever be enough for him. He needs something to blame his inability to be as great as he wants to be on, and so everything is Superman's fault. If it wasn't Superman, it would be someone or something else. There has to be an enemy, other than himself.

In a lot of ways, Lex is a classic racist. He says we can't trust Superman because he's not one of us, he's something inhuman. He's an outsider, and only he is brave and clear-sighted enough to stand against him as a self-appointed champion of humanity. And the tragedy of it is that Superman is a better human than Luthor can ever be.

But it's important we see the parallels between Luthor and Kent. Both had humble beginnings, raised in Smallville. But while Clark had the unconditional love of the Kents, Luthor had the cruelty and the constant criticism of his father. While Clark wears his identity proudly - be it his Smallville upbringing as Clark, or his Kryptonian heritage as Superman - Luthor is ashamed of where he came from, and has spent his adult life trying to erase that part of himself, twisting and coiling himself into this grand vision of transcendant genius that he feels he should be.

Superman can fly through space and into the stars, but comes down to Earth to walk among us. Lex Luthor is an ordinary man, but builds the highest skyscraper in Metropolis and locks himself in it like an ivory tower to keep himself separated from the unwashed masses. He is someone that, like Superman, has great power, but unlike Superman, doesn't want to share it. He wants it all for himself. He wants the adoration and love that Superman gets, but without realising that he needs to give just as much back for it to work.

Look at how Luthor has evolved throughout history, and you can see in his various incarnations what he stands for. In the era of the atom bomb, he was the irresponsible scientist abusing advances in technology. In the era of "greed is good" and yuppie culture, he was the amoral representative of big business. In the era of an unpopular war and an even more unpopular Government, he was President of the United States. And now, he embodies all our own prejudices and shortcomings. Just as Superman represents the best in humanity, Lex Luthor represents the worst - everything in us that is selfish and petty and small.

At the same time, I think one aspect of Lex that gets downplayed a lot but is very important to the character is his pent up anger towards the world in general and his idea of what justice is. Both of these tie into his belief that it is his destiny to lead future science utopia (as well as his abusive childhood). I think Lex has a lot of contempt for our modern culture. He sees it as corrupt and squandering it's potential. In the 50s and 60s, this took the form of him robbing banks and subverting society overtly as a criminal, while also trying to take over the world and make future science utopia. From the mid 80's up until about 2005, it's been using the system against itself to ultimately reshape it into his future science utopia. And the people who stand in the way of that, Superman chief amung them, are cast away with extreme prejiduce.

 

[Rust]

Haha, well I just did!

Actually, I haven't heard anything at all in regards to Luthor (or if he's even going to have a large part in this film). Most of the talk has been about big blue.

The only reason I'm thinking it won't happen is due to MGM finally getting things back on track for Bond. I'm not sure when they plan on shooting, but my understanding was that it would be fairly soon, as they're looking to release Bond 23 in November.

Well, that's something.

Depending on how fast Craig could work and how big Luthor's role would be, I wouldn't write him off because of Bond. But... we're getting waay ahead of ourselves here. Bad habbit.

 

[The Demon's Head]

How about Terry O'Quin? He was wonderful both as Locke, and The Man In Black. He would be a great villain.

 

[I Am Jack's...]

I actually think Hugh Jackman would make a fantastic Lex Luthor. I know he's Wolverine, but aside from that, he has everything you could look for in a possible Lex. Intensity, charisma, charm, physical stature, and he is awesome at playing a villain. Look at his role in The Prestige, very Luthor-like IMO. He was jealous of Bale's character and went on a hellbent journey to beat him and just got consumed by his jealousy and rage over the course of the movie. But he'll probably be too busy with Wolverine 2, so it's a pretty long shot that he'd get the role unfortunately

I would be all for Craig, too. He would be awesome

 

[Sam]

I actually think Hugh Jackman would make a fantastic Lex Luthor. I know he's Wolverine, but aside from that, he has everything you could look for in a possible Lex. Intensity, charisma, charm, physical stature, and he is awesome at playing a villain. Look at his role in The Prestige, very Luthor-like IMO. He was jealous of Bale's character and went on a hellbent journey to beat him and just got consumed by his jealousy and rage over the course of the movie. But he'll probably be too busy with Wolverine 2, so it's a pretty long shot that he'd get the role unfortunately

I would be all for Craig, too. He would be awesome

Oh My God!! He looks just like J. K. Simmons on that manip!!!

 

[cin0]

I actually think Hugh Jackman would make a fantastic Lex Luthor. I know he's Wolverine, but aside from that, he has everything you could look for in a possible Lex. Intensity, charisma, charm, physical stature, and he is awesome at playing a villain. Look at his role in The Prestige, very Luthor-like IMO. He was jealous of Bale's character and went on a hellbent journey to beat him and just got consumed by his jealousy and rage over the course of the movie. But he'll probably be too busy with Wolverine 2, so it's a pretty long shot that he'd get the role unfortunately

I would be all for Craig, too. He would be awesome

He looks his age in that pic.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I didn´t watch Road to Perdition to say.
But I can´t see him as Lex.
At least not yet.

Here's a look at him in the film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTYvhfKc5JY

 

[baleheadbrasil]

Thanks.
Oh my God...James Bond killed a kid and a woman!!!!!!
I never had seen him so bad! hehe
I´ll rent the movie to watch.

 

[Daybreak_st]

Liev Scheiber if they're going for a middle-aged Lex.

 

[GreenKToo]

I just hope they get a well known actor for the role. I'd prefer Isaacs as my #1 choice, but i'd definitely be satisfied with a craig, mortensen, or bean.

 

[Nightwing1983]

What's sad about Superman Returns (among other things) is that while they found a way to bring a post-Crisis concept into the continuity with the earlier films, but they even through that away. That's not why I hate SR, but it's one aspect of why it's pretty disappointing even without the main problem.

 

[Eddie Dean]

I'd like to go a little weirder with Lex, so how about Sharlto Copley?

 

[jesusmagicka]

Lex needs to be about the same age as Supes and not ugly, but handsome and suave.

 

[baleheadbrasil]

I still didn´t have a solid choice to play Lex because there are many good options.
I´m divided.

 

[klark cent]

Lex needs to be about the same age as Supes and not ugly, but handsome and suave.

If none of the popular candidates suggested for Superman ends up taking the role, do you think any of them can play Lex?

 

[GreenKToo]

For me, the Lex casting is just as important as the superman casting. they MUST get it right this time, and please, no more real estate Lex.

 

[Rust]

For creepiness:

For coolness:

For bigger B.O. potential:

 

[super-t]

Am i the only one who actually prefers lex's hair to be like this as opposed to slick bald...as in he chooses to have his hair like that, compared to him loosin it?

 

[DaJanksta]

Phoenix would be bad ass I think. The dude has dedication to his roles that's for sure.

 

[Nightwing1983]

As I've said before, Rob Schneider should be Lex. I mean, look who's played Lex in the past on the big-screen: Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey: two great legends in dramatic acting, and potentially incredible villains. And they *****ed up. So by the law of inverse, an unfunny commedian should be perfect in the roll.

 

[DaJanksta]

As I've said before, Rob Schneider should be Lex. I mean, look who's played Lex in the past on the big-screen: Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey: two great legends in dramatic acting, and potentially incredible villains. And they *****ed up. So by the law of inverse, an unfunny commedian should be perfect in the roll.

Then Adam Sandler would be superman

 

[Midnight Black]

LOL...uh no! Has anyone mentioned the Arnold Volsoo from the Mummy movies, G.I. Joe, or Blood Diamond to play Lex. I'm sure someone has, and I think he would be a great choice other than Luke Goss.

http://www.latinoreview.com/images/user/arnold+2-1.jpg

Also, Super-T mentioned that having a Lex with a buzz cut as opposed to completely bald might be a way to go. I can see that happening especially since they change things so much on film.

 

[GreenKToo]

He was mentioned ALOT last year, but has kinda been forgotten about.