There's been A LOT of speculation and babbling over who could potentially be Lex Luthor in the Man of Steel sequel, but according to Variety, Warner Bros. has its eyes set on a specific actor: Joaquin Phoenix. However, the website adds this is still "very early in the process" and even if the studio gives the Oscar-winner an offer, there's obviously no guarantee he'll accept. Variety adds Phoenix is possibly considering an offer for another film as well. Furthermore, Variety says its sources couldn't say specifically what the role is, though "it's believed to be for the main antagonist, which is likely to be Lex Luthor."

Batman vs. Superman (or whatever it'll be called) is currently scheduled to open July 17, 2015. Zack Snyder will still direct and he's co-writing the script with David S. Goyer. Viners, do you think Phoenix would be a good Lex? Let us know below.

Source: Variety

I can actually see him as Lex.

I don't look forward to seeing him bald, lol. Still better than Denzel.

same here

Wouldn't have a problem with it

Sounds good. I like older characters.

Its actually kinda weird that I don't have a problem with supes and wondie being young and lex and bats being old. If anything, I would like to see an even older lex. Like 50 or 60.

Johnny Cash as Lex Luthor? I won't protest that.

fantastic actor

YES! Much better than Bryan Cranston as Lex, and I loved Breaking Bad.

hopefully this happens

Sounds pretty good to me.

I can see that working.

WB actually making an amazing casting choice? i guess this is the end

what the role is, though "it's believed to be for the main antagonist, which is likely to be Lex Luthor."

So it is wouldn’t be “Batman and Superman beat the sh…t out of each other” for entire movie, maybe we will actually see World’s Finest in action.

And @allstarsuperman said:

wha? wait...wasnt Heisenberg supposed to be doing some version of Lex?

huh......interesting.

He'll never accept the role.

It's too big budget for him.

IVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR MONTHS

Sounds good but the movie will not be out for 2015

That could be really cool.

Could definitely work.

It's workable, honestly the script worries me more than the casting though.

I don't mind this idea.

No offense to Joaquin Phoenix, but every time I think of him. I think about his role in Gladiator. You know, the crazy, incestuous emperor of Rome D:

Not bad.

All he needs to do is shave his head and we've got ourselves a Lex for a new generation!

He's a dope actor. I'd be cool with him.

Eh, I never considered him as Lex, and can't remember what movies he was in, but I'm okay with it.

I would have liked Van Diesel for the role, he reminds me of the Lex from the Grant Morrison's All Star Superman version.

I would never of though of him, but he's perfect, he really is. Hope this pans out.

He's actually a good actor, so I'd be all for this. That said, I still having a feeling this movie is gonna be a big mess. Snyder and Goyer are introducing so many big players into this sequel even before we get a chance to really get to know Superman's supporting cast, and even Superman himself. Hopefully, I'm wrong, and everyone will get to say 'I told you so' to me.

He's a good actor...but man, I can't stand Joaquin Phoenix.

Good actor, I can see this.

He's a good actor AND he's badshit insane. I could see this

The last movie I seen with him was The Masters, which was a weird movie, but nonetheless he was still good in it. He can play a crazy dude pretty well.

I'm good with him.

And no, he doesn't

have

to shave.

My personal hope is Christoph Waltz, but i doubt it will happen.

This might be the only casting choice for MOS2 I like.

Every time I see him, I think of Lucius Hunt from The Village. So, that being said, he just seems to nice to play a megalomaniacal monster like Luthor...Billy Zane on the other hand...

Here Here. Bryan Cranson (even though the best choice) is too old. And I didnt want an other villian role being handed to Mark Strong,

I'm very on board with this.

I support this. Seems almost too good to be true though.

@saint_rog_el: Lemme guess, Mark Strong as Sinestro?

Wouldnt it be weird if Gal Gadot rocks as WW and this dude turns out sucking.

All kidding aside I think after so much shock in casting news we're so relieved to get some good normal news.

holy crap he actually looks like Luther except for the hair ofcourse

They seriously need to bring him back. I don't care what they do with Hal. He killed that role.

And even it would be typecasting. Strong would kill Lex too.

@spideyivydaredevilfan26: have you never seen Gladiator or The Master?

And he was the bad guy in a Kick Ass, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes. The dude is known for playing bad guys. Im not saying he would be a bad choice but he's been overused.

In case anyone is interested, they've brought in one of the Oscar Winning Argo writer Chris Terrio to rewrite Batman vs Superman script. Promising.

Well Commodus sure did hate Jor-El Maximus. Now he shall take revenge on the son!!!

I do like Joaquin, I just don't know if he can play a commanding villain. Whenever I think of him as a villain, I think of weasely coward Commodus.