Geoff Johns serving as Executive Producer worries me the most I hope he doesn't inject his Justice League ideas into DC movies.

Lex being cast gives me hope it is still mostly a Superman story with other heroes just playing into the plot.

Interesting choice, I look forward to seeing how it works on screen.

Just looking at the comments section at IGN reminds me why I don't like IGN users as much as ComicVine. Although the reactions in their comment section is not quite as bad as I would have expected. I still think IGN's comment section is horrible and filled with annoying immature posters.

I got my hopes up about Lex being Bryan Cranston a bit too much.
Super disappointed.

At least now there's more of a chance he'll be Commissioner Gordan one day now though..

I liked Eisenberg in The Social Network, so I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Irons as Alfred? Oh Yeah! I kinda saw him for the role when I read Batman - Earth One.

Too many unexpected(for lack of better word) casts in this movie...
I will go into this movie certain that I will be dissapointed, I hope we all enjoy it but i seriously doubt it.

@the_stegman: I have to disagree there. I can easily see him as a kind of detached Luthor who knows he's above us all and can get very menacing when pushed.

@movieartman said:

just a reminder

By your logic, Meryl Streep should play Catwoman.

@rustyroy: i would watch that lol

@movieartman said:

just a reminder

One role doesn't make him able to fully portray the evil complexity and villainous complex of Lex's character. His roles thus far don't paint the best picture of him being able to handle Lex.

My sentiments exactly. The casting choices coupled with poor screenplay and average directing of MOS aren't making me any more excited about the Superman/Batman film. There'll need to be a major turnaround for me to be impressed because thus far, that isn't happening.

@rustyroy: Maybe not Catwoman but she'd make a damn good Leslie Thompkins.

Dont know much of Lex's actor so I can't comment. Irons is a great actor so I think he can pull off Alfred.

Interesting. I think they will take a different approach to Lex Luthor's character. Jesse isn't all that evil and intimidating.

Jesse Eisenberg isn't my ideal choice for Lex, but it's not a terrible choice if Snyder is doing something different.

I personally wanted Vin Diesel to play Lex, he looks exactly like Lex from All Star Superman.

As for the age thing; Cavill and Eisenberg are the same age! If Henry is old enough to play Superman; than Jesse is old enough to play Luthor.

I called it since day one. Affleck as Batman was the start. Now we get this Luthor. LOL. This movie is so going to fail.

Me too xD

1. Jesse Eisenberg does not have the personality of Lex.

2. Lex was supposed to be the same age as Superman but he always appeared older, Eisenberg has a youthful look, not an aged look. Cavill practically looks like he could be his dad.

No complaints about irons, Jesse on the other isn't entirely disappointing but I still feel hesitant about praising the choice. It's kind of 50/50. Didn't like Man of Steel so my expectations are low anyways

Uh,no.
Im not a big Superman fan but i know that Lex was always a 35+ yr old man and was always older than Clark.So no.

Do you WANT it to fail?....

And i never got the ultimate freak out, for Batfleck.Never.

Well seeing as this (and all) superhero movies only take cues from as opposed to being 1-1 recreations of their source material than what Lex 'always was' is really irrelevant. I don't remember Perry White ever being black and this age thing matters about as much as that.

See: Not at all.

Exactly my point, some roles don't suit every actor, no matter how good the actor is, Jesse is a great actor and maybe he'll do a great job as Lex but right now I don't see him as Lex.

And Johns as Executive producer also worries me, at least the script is being rewritten by a Oscar winner.

Scar as Alfred, hell yeah

You have a point.....besides,the new Johnny Storm is ,apparently,black.Electro too.

Ben Affleck - Batman.

Umm, this is not a good idea.

Gal Gadot - Wonder Woman.

Well, maybe her part is not going to be that big.

Jesse Eisenberg - Lex Luther.

Okay, this movie is probably going to suck.

I'm losing more faith after each new casting announcement.

Well, Jesse is no stranger to playing someone who runs an evil business.

That reminds me, do we know if Lex and Joker are teaming up? It just wouldn't be a World's Finest movie without that.

Batman: Alfred, I don't think I'll need the glue grenade tonight.
Alfred: But sir, it's best to…BE PRE-PAAAAAAAARED!
Batman: ...

To be honest I'm quite intrigued by the Lex casting. And to those saying he looks too young, I'm pretty sure a million dollar movie crew can make him look older if they want him too. Genuinely curious to see his portrayal.

As for Irons, incredible casting, thanks WB. Definitely the best actor on this movie right now by far, (don't think Crowell has been confirmed)

all is lost

I can't even express my disliking of the idea of Eisenberg playing Lex. It doesn't fit. It's not about acting ability. It's about him fitting the character. Which he doesn't. Not for this kind of film.

Jeremy Irons was an interesting choice, but a good one. He'll be good.

@rustyroy: Small consolation though all things considered.

I can totally buy Eisenberg as a smug genius with a superiority complex after seeing him in The Social Network, but I was hoping Lex would have more of a physical presence.

I'm indifferent on Jeremy Irons as Alfred. I've always wanted a classic, bald(ing) Alfred with the pencil mustache, but that's never happened.

Good thing Eisenberg is, you know, an actor.

@viin: He's the ssame age as Cavill, they are both 30, while Affleck is around 40-42 I believe. Now he does look much younger for his age, but put him in a suave lookng suit and have him work on his voice for intimidation, and I can see exactly why they chose him. He's a great actor and this part will finally take him out of that wimpy/nervous teen character he has been playing for a while

Seriously though He's a far above average actor, but the stammering, awkward, shy, quiet, genius approach would be a horrible way to play Lex. IMO.

I think Jesse can do it, but not if Snyder wants him to play Evil Mark Zuckerberg. Plus of course, there is the age, but i'm confident Jesse can make us forget that. ..

Oh man. Gough and Cain were fantastic but JEREMY IRONS?!?! BRILLIANT!!!!!!!

Eisenberg? Really surprising. Don't hate it though. Interested to see how this goes.

Man, I was holding out for Denzel Washington as Lex! I guess if Lex was black, people would be accusing Superman of being a racist.

Eisenberg could work, he definitely has the talent. However, I think we're going to see a different portrayal of Lex than what we're used to.

Jeremy Irons is just awesome even when he's cartoon lion.

@manwithoutshame: I respectfully disagree with you, to an extent, about Eisenberg. His Zombieland character was wimpy and lacked confidence, yes. But look at what he does to characters with any bit of power. Social Network being the obvious, but similar as a showman in Now You See Me. He nails the confident, cocky, I'm better than you, smarter than you character. Like everyone else, I anticipated an older actor, but he's likewise in age with Cavill, so that's excusable. This is all my opinion of course, feel free to disagree.

I have a feeling Eisenberg will be a lot like the Lex in Grant Morrison's New 52 Action Comics series. That version of Lex never fought Superman physically, but used strategies and tactics to outsmart him. He also consulted for the U.S. military.

This should be interesting.

Irons a a great actor. I hope he brings the kindness, humor, and maturity Caine brought to the role.

More people excited for jeremy irons dont forget he was also in D & D

Not Eisenberg, Heisenberg!
BB

Man of Steel is my favorite comic book movie, Snyder said himself that he's doing something a bit different with Lex Luthor, so I'm not at all disappointed.

Snyder stated, “Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940. What’s great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain. He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.”

Ben Affleck is 41 years old, Henry Cavill is 30 years old, Jesse Eisenburg is 30 years old. I'm not seeing a problem with the age of these actors with what Snyder envision for these characters, and I'm not seeing any creditable arguments to why Eisenburg is too young for Lex Luthor.

Jesse Eisenburg is Lex Luthor, he might not be what "you" wanted, but that doesn't mean he won't do the role justice.

I would have preferred Irons for Lex.

I'm glad a lot of users agree that Eisenberg as Lex Luthor is a really bad idea. I mean do we have to relive the same travesty as Topher Grace being Venom all over again. We can only hope that Eisenberg is playing a younger version of Lex Luthor. As for Jeremy Irons, I suppose he can play a MI-6 version of Alfred but I think Irons could be better served playing a villain like Anton Arcane for Swamp Thing.

For some reason, this announcement makes it seem more likely that the Rock will play Metallo.

@shroudofsorrow: so apparently Mark Zuckerberg here is 30 years old, the same age as Henry Cavil. so i guess it makes sense..?

Wait what

He is like the opposite of Billy Zane.... Why cant Billy Zane get love

That is going to be one young looking Lex Luthor. I don't know if I can take Superman and Batman seriously if they're going up against someone who will look like a kid compared to them.