The wheels keep turning on
Zach Snyder’s upcoming
Batman vs Superman film. With the official appointment of its titular leads +
Wonder Woman addressed and bemoaned for its relaxed attitude towards accurate bra sizing, it’s time to look at its supporting cast.
Warner Bros has just now announced that the poor man/rich man’s Michael Cera depending on how you look at it Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Zombieland) will externalise the smarmy douche-bag vibes seen previously in roles such as himself and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as megalomaniacal Superman villain Lex Luther. While craggy faced British actor Jeremy Irons (Die Hard With A Vengeance, The Man In The Iron Mask) will play Master Wayne manservant and fatherly fountain of useful life advice, Alfred.
Unfortunately for Irons and Eisenberg, both roles have been indelibly affixed to the collective pop culture psyche by other men, Lex Luther by Gene Hackman in 1978’s Superman: The Movie, and Alfred by Sir Michael Caine in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Dark Knight trilogy. You have to wonder if they’re up for it.
Zach Snyder thinks so.
“Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940,” Snyder said. “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.”
“As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman,” Snyder said of the other appointment. “It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne.”
They are joined by Ben Affleck as the Bawstahn Batman Gotham doesn’t want, Henry Cavill’s chest as Superman and Gal Gardot as Wonder Woman.
The as yet untitled film is set to open May 6, 2016.
