The Official Lex Luthor Casting Thread

[The Shield]

Bettany

I totally hear a manipulative speech on why he is to be trusted and Superman discredited.

Nice t:

 

[FVD]

I wouldn't mind Bettany as well actually. And I do think his voice may come close to how Clancy Brown portrayed the character on the Animated Series...

 

[BH/HHH]

Paul Bettany would be a good choice

 

[Rowsdower!]

I'm okay with Bettany but he needs to work on his American accent if he plays Lex. He sounds like he's ******ed in those Priest clips.

Speaking of Priest, how about Karl Urban as Lex?

 

[GoblinWhirlwind]

It's funny how I only had a couple choices for Superman, but I'd be cool with alot for Luthor. I just want a Lex that isn't some dumpy old man with a ridiculous plot.

 

[Dark Knight]

Bettany would be a good choice!

 

[BH/HHH]

It's funny how I only had a couple choices for Superman, but I'd be cool with alot for Luthor. I just want a Lex that isn't some dumpy old man with a ridiculous plot.

Yeah thats how I am with Lex, with Superman I wanted Cavill as my first choice n then I'd have only been happy with a few others but I think with Lex there are a number of candidates I'd be very happy with.

 

[I Am Jack's...]

Bettany's one of my favorite choices as well. If he is too tall compared to Cavill then he could be Brainiac as well.

 

[GoblinWhirlwind]

I like the idea of Walton Goggins as Brainiac... but I could see Bettany as Braniac more than Luthor. He's just got that weird no eyebrow look to him.

 

[Wheels]

What about Clooney? I'd like to see him redeem himself in the eyes of comicbook fans. He could really pull off the Lex I want to see. On the surface he looks like a hero, helping those in need, but inside he's a monster.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Clooney already redeemed himself in my eye through a lot of his roles. I blame Schumacher for Batman & Robin. People forget... Batman Forever sucked too.

Anyway, he could make an interesting Luthor. He can play a good cold-blooded bastard when he wants to (From Dusk til Dawn, and to some extent, Syriana and Michael Clayton).

Also, I like the idea of Bettany as Brainiac more than Lex, too. He'd be perfect.

 

[GoblinWhirlwind]

Even if my top choices don't make it, I'm really not that worried about Luthor. If Nolan had a hand in Cavill getting the role, hopefully he'd doing the same for Luthor. We all know how awesome Nolan is with villains.

 

[Wheels]

Clooney already redeemed himself in my eye through a lot of his roles. I blame Schumacher for Batman & Robin. People forget... Batman Forever sucked too.

Anyway, he could make an interesting Luthor. He can play a good cold-blooded bastard when he wants to (From Dusk til Dawn, and to some extent, Syriana and Michael Clayton).

Also, I like the idea of Bettany as Brainiac more than Lex, too. He'd be perfect.

I think Clooney has the charm to sucker people in, Supes and maybe Lois would be the only ones to see who Lex really is.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah, I think he could. Plus, it would be funny to see him with a bald head. And the interviews he'd do for it would be hilarious.

EW: So George, this isn't your first role in a superhero movie...

Clooney: No, it's not. A few years back, Arnold and I killed the Batman franchise. Fortunately, Nolan stepped in to save it.

EW: As executive producer of this new Superman movie, did Chris Nolan have a hand in casting you as Lex Luthor?

Clooney: Heh, no... actually it was quite the opposite. Casting me was Snyder's idea. But supposedly when Nolan found out, he showed up on Zack's doorstep at 3 AM and exclaimed 'What the f**k are you thinking?' But fortunately, he agreed to meet me for drinks the following day and after I slipped a mickey into his gin & tonic, he agreed that my casting was a great idea.

 

[BH/HHH]

Clooney already redeemed himself in my eye through a lot of his roles. I blame Schumacher for Batman & Robin. People forget... Batman Forever sucked too.

Agreed totally Schumacher's fault, the fact is Clooney didnt want to do Batman & Robin he had a contract with WB's to make a certain amount of films and was told to do Batman. I personally think in a better Batman film with a better director he'd have been very good.

 

[Wheels]

Yeah, I think he could. Plus, it would be funny to see him with a bald head. And the interviews he'd do for it would be hilarious.

EW: So George, this isn't your first role in a superhero movie...

Clooney: No, it's not. A few years back, Arnold and I killed the Batman franchise. Fortunately, Nolan stepped in to save it.

EW: As executive producer of this new Superman movie, did Chris Nolan have a hand in casting you as Lex Luthor?

Clooney: Heh, no... actually it was quite the opposite. Casting me was Snyder's idea. But supposedly when Nolan found out, he showed up on Zack's doorstep at 3 AM and exclaimed 'What the f**k are you thinking?' But fortunately, he agreed to meet me for drinks the following day and after I slipped a mickey into his gin & tonic, he agreed that my casting was a great idea.

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

Billy Zane is the perfect choice for Lex in my opinion.

100% agree with this...

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

I'm wondering why people have a hard time with him possibly being both a scientist and a corporate bigwig. Just say most of the **** at Lexcorp is based on stuff he's done, a la Bill Gates. But some of the things he's created have had some questionable purposes in the eyes of a few people, weapons-wise.

I'd like to see a Lex who is a mix of mad scientist inventor and corrupt businessman. But who on the surface appears to have the general public's interests at heart. That way, Clark/Superman can both be investigating his true motives.

But I definitely don't want to see Lex as the main villain. Contributing in a major way, but not the driving force of the film.

But then what do I know?

 

[RetrogradeOrbit]

How about Patrick Stewart for Lex.

Patrick Stewart definitely has the acting chops for this, but I think he is too old to take it on and I am of the opinion he would not want to take on another sci-fi/comic book role which he would probably have to agree to three movies.

While we are on the subject of Star Trek people playing Lex, how about William Shatner? He wouldn't even have to shave his head.... t:
Okay that was a bit below the belt. Sorry...

On a slightly serious note, what about Brent Spiner? I think he could play a good villain. But obviously he is not an A-Lister.

I mentioned Billy Zane earlier, because he physically Oozes Lex to me. I never thought his acting was that bad. Joaquin Phoenix? That could be interesting. He was very good in Gladiator.

Ideally, I think that the Lex character should be at least 5-10 years older than Superman. Simply because it works better. Gives him time to build up his empire and so on. I think that Lex should definitely be a scientist, inventor and businessman. Though that might bring to mind similarities with Norman Osborn.
OMG! Willem DaFoe as Lex Luthor...... Nah, never happen, but I bet he would have been good.

Whoever is chosen, I would have thought that it will be a well known, established (American) actor.
Otherwise I get the impression that a lot of fans will feel that the Brits are hijacking almost all of their best known Superheroes and Villains.
But saying that, is it not almost traditional for villainous roles in American films to be played by Brits?

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Speaking of Priest, how about Karl Urban as Lex?

I'd back him for Metallo

Bettany

This might sound really stupid... i'd kind of want to see what he'd look like with some eyebrow die

Seriously though, it's strange that Lex is the one peice of casting where the look doesn't matter as much to me at all. Or the age. I will suggest anyone if I think they have the ability to pull of a good Lex Luthor, that is NOTHING like what we've seen before in the movies. I think Bettany is a good suggestion

 

[Rowsdower!]

Bettany probably would make a good Lex, but since someone mentioned him for Brainiac, I damn near fell in love with that idea. He'd just be so perfect for it.

 

[Puckenstein]

 

[Zachhelms]

Billy Zane is my #1 pick for Lex.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Has any one mentioned Ethan Hawke yet? Could be interesting.

 

[The Shield]

Of course...! I knew someone else had mentioned him. It feels like forever ago when I replied to this. Awesome. With his eyes closed I tell ya... Lex all the way