The Official Lex Luthor Casting Thread

[GreenKToo]

I'd like to see Eric Bana as Zod..I was thinking he would make a good Jor-el, but I see him more as Zod now.

 

[Wheels]

Billy Zane is a interesting choice for Luthor, but to tell you the truth, I think he would be a great Jor El. He kind of has that Brando thing going for him too.

I like the Bettany bald pics for Luthor.

While not completely abondoning Luthors businessman tycoon persona, Id kinda like to see a bit of a return to the mad scientist type of villian for Luthor. The two can be combined for a great version of Lex.

Why would Snyder cast a D list actor as Superman's most famous foe? Because he's bald? The guy has been in B movies pretty much his whole career, and for good reason, he's not that good. His name has been around since the Superman Lives days so ir's not interesting anymore. It's boring really.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I think I'd rather see Nick Cage play Luthor than Zane.

 

[Wheels]

I agree.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I was thinking about it, and if they truly are using Birthright as a model, then Lex would likely be about the same age as Superman (maybe a little older). So some of these suggestions might be too old if they want to go for that. So I've compiled two lists of Lex actors that I think would work. Some of the "younger" choices actually should be in the "older" group, but they they can play younger.

Also, I took some time to look through Snyder's previous films and found a few names that I haven't seen mentioned yet but I think they could pull off the role, like Isaac, Wenham and Weber.

Younger Lex:

Matthew Goode
Oscar Isaac
Dominic Cooper
Patrick Wilson
Bradley Cooper

Older Lex:

John Hamm
David Wenham
Jake Weber
Billy Crudup
Matt Damon
Timothy Olyphant
Thomas Gibson
Ralph Fiennes

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Wilson and Olyphant are my favourites.

 

[Denny67]

Clancy Brown - He knows the role well.

Anybody willing to Manip my suggestion?

 

[Robin91939]

My theory is that he's up for Jor-El.

Honestly, no knock on the character of Jor-El...but if they can convince Daniel Day-Lewis to sign onto a comic book film...a Superman film, and NOT sign him to play Lex Luthor--it's a waste of his potential and talent. Jor-El is a good character...Lex Luthor, is a great character.

Brando's version of the character of Jor-El has for too long given him too much importance in the mythos. Jonathan Kent has been relegated to heart attacks, while Jor-El is apparently this God figure who tells Kal-El he sent him to become Superman...? No. He sent him to preserve his life and the Kryptonian race....the Kents and his own intrinsic goodness shaped him into the Superman he is today.

Luthor is a far more important character in the mythos than Jor-El, and Daniel Day-Lewis, if they could get him, would be better served playing him.

-R

 

[RoughNTumble]

DDL is a great actor, but after reading a bunch of interviews with him, he's a bit mental. Seems to take acting way too seriously, to the point where he's depressed for several months after getting out of character. I don't think anyone ever taught him how to have fun.

 

[KRIM]

Greatness comes with its own faults. There's a reason why he's consistently crowned as one of the greatest actors to have ever done it. His upmost dedication to the craft allows to shape a performance that is incredibly authentic to the heart and soul of his characters. He can't be any more convincing in the part, and that's the pinnacle of acting.

This film (and genre) would reach new heights if anyone of his caliber could deliver to the expectations their talents dictate.

 

[RoughNTumble]

I think heath ledger matched that kind of dedication with joker. We were lucky to have such a talented actor land the part, and then take it so seriously. Especially since joker's the greatest comic villain.

 

[KRIM]

Oh, definitely. Ledger raised the bar for comic book performances. The universal recognition and awards also helped, heh.

But his participation came at a surprise for most. It wasn't after he delivered that we accepted him as a great. DDL being announced would be different in this regard, as he has perfected the method performance and you will find next to no one that would disapprove of his casting. Little chance of it happening, though.

Whoever is cast, I can only hope it lives up giving Lex the status he deserves.

 

[jthom19802]

I'm on the Olyphant bandwagon. The bad-ass, genius corporate Lex Luthor wants to be president bandwagon.

Although to whoever said Zane is a B-lister, I'll give you that when it comes to film. But he's done a lot of TV work and he's a thousand times better than he was ten years ago. Either way whatever his particular "status" in Hollywood he definitely looks the part and is more than familiar with playing a total sleazebag.

 

[fixxxer1022]

my vote is still for billy zane as lex.

 

[RoughNTumble]

billy zane and olyphant?


these guys wouldn't even be suggested if they hadn't played bald roles before

 

[jthom19802]

billy zane and olyphant?


these guys wouldn't even be suggested if they hadn't played bald roles before

I disagree. Olyphant has been great in just about everything going back to "GO" from like 15 years ago or so. The fact he's done something bald only adds to it. One need look no further than his current show, Justified, to know he's a bad-ass which is exactly what Lex needs.

 

[jthom19802]

In fact, I'll expound a bit.

Billy Zane I'll give you. He is traditionally bald and has been for years and so yes that might cause him to pop into people's heads. It's also very possible that for many people, Olyphants role in Hitman placed him in the mix.

I, however, loved this guy since I saw him. As I said 12 or 14 or something years ago when I first saw him in GO, I thought to myself "man this guy is such a cool bad-ass. he'd be a great luthor if he was bald."

"Cool" and "bad-ass", both descriptive terms for the particular Luthor I'm speaking of, so I always thought he'd be amazing at it, and his work since then has does nothing to change my feelings on that.

 

[BH/HHH]

You know theres something I dont like about Olyphant, when Is ee him somethings instantly unlikeable so I'm onboard for having him cause this a quality I think Luthor should have. But there are others i.e. Jason Isaacs that I would prefer.

 

[jthom19802]

You know theres something I don't like about Olyphant, when I see him somethings instantly unlikeable so I'm on board for having him cause this a quality I think Luthor should have.

And there you have it. He's a natural!

 

[RoughNTumble]

no way, luthor should be charming and instantly likable

jon hamm would make an excellent luthor, for example

 

[BH/HHH]

I really dont think you should like the villain, like John Shea on L&C he was great but I hated him

 

[GreenKToo]

Isaacs for me. I'd love DDL, but thats about as possible as getting Darkseid as the villain.

 

[RoughNTumble]

I really dont think you should like the villain, like John Shea on L&C he was great but I hated him

That's so lame. No one gets in the kind of position of power lex gets in by being instantly unlikable.

Look at how nolan cast his batman movies. Every single one of the villains normally portrays protagonist archetypes. Ra's, Scarecrow, Joker, Two-Face, even Tom Hardy is an incredibly charismatic guy. None of them are moustache twisting clowns that lack subtlety. It's a formula for success.

 

[terry78]

Olyphant in The Girl Next Door is what seals it for me. He's playing somewhat of a sleazy porn guy, but the way he pulls it off is suave yet dangerous.

 

[BH/HHH]

That's so lame. No one gets in the kind of position of power lex gets in by being instantly unlikable.

Look at how nolan cast his batman movies. Every single one of the villains normally portrays protagonist archetypes. Ra's, Scarecrow, Joker, Two-Face, even Tom Hardy is an incredibly charismatic guy. None of them are moustache twisting clowns that lack subtlety. It's a formula for success.

Might be lame to you not to me, I'm not saying he should not be charming but he should still be unlikable to the audience. End of the day I dont want to like the guy who wants to kill my favourite character ever.

I never said I wanted that from my villain either I think you're missing the point