Jeremy Irons and Jesse Eisenberg join BATMAN VS SUPERMAN

If there are two characters that every incarnation of a Batman/Superman movie should have, it’s trusty butler Alfred and eternal humanist enemy Lex Luthor. With Batman vs Superman still scheduled for 2016, director Zack Snyder just got those two iconic characters cast.

Folks, say hello to Jesse Eisenberg as your new Lex Luthor, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth.

In a press release, director Zack Snyder was quoted as saying:

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.

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. 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.

First, the elephant in the room. If you thought the casting of Ben Affleck as Batman got the internet to see red, then having Jesse Eisenberg as the follicaly-challenged criminal mastermind Lex Luthor has sent that seething reactor of unnecessary rage into Fukushima meltdown mode, resulting in a veritable tweet storm of “We wanted Heisenberg not Eisenberg!”. I think it;s a bold choice however, and one that shouldn’t be a problem. Eisenberg has proven himself to be a great actor, and with a younger Superman comes a younger nemesis.

And a younger Lex Luthor shouldn’t be a problem at all, as audiences are more than familiar with Michael Rosenbaum having played such a character during his formative years on Smallville. As for the casting of Alfred, having Jeremy Irons in that role fills me with all manner of glee.

Batman vs Superman is still on for 2016 and that cast is filling up pretty quickly for the Man of Steel sequel.

Last Updated: February 3, 2014