Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Summary
Jesse Eisenberg ’s take onLex LuthorinBatman v Superman : Dawn of Justicewas a hard original approach that hold its sightly portion of controversy in theDCEU , even though retrospectively , his performance might have received comparatively harsh response in some regards . grow out long locks of hair instead of following a more risible - accurate bald look , Eisenberg ’s Luthor was full of vigour and envy , setting him up to be an ideal villain for Zack Snyder ’s cinematic crossover voter . Functioning as a foeman to both the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight , the Oscar campaigner ’s interlingual rendition of the evergreen DC character polarize critics and audience .
Eisenberg himself seems to have made his peace with the use and its dissentious reception . Despite a abbreviated appearance inJustice League , his plans to appear inthe timeline of the DCEU moviesended with James Gunn taking over the franchise ’s creative control and bring up into the DC Universe . With the new DCU accommodatingprojects likeSuperman : Legacy , Nicholas Hoult becomes the tardy histrion to pace into Luthor ’s shoes , withEisenbergplayfully giving the other thespian the advice of " do n’t watch me ! " when require by Variety about advice for the villain role . Despite the actor ’s own reserve , it ’s deserving revisiting his vocation - defining act .
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10Jesse Eisenberg’s Young Lex Luthor Was Very Original
Most of the other cinematic convey on Lex Luthor tend to show the man of affairs and scientist at a slimly older phase angle in life sentence . Jesse Eisenberg ’s younger take on the character was relatively more impulsive and green , as is apparent in his hasty decisions and overzealous zip . Here was a Luthor who was still in the formative stage of his villainy , take into account Eisenberg to recreate and re-explain the persona in his own ways . Zack Snyder ’s movie might be heavily exact to certain comic strip , but Eisenberg was still given enough gratuitous rein to abide out fromevery other live - activity version of Luthor .
9This Version Of Lex Luthor Is Far More Unpredictable
Introducing a franchise ’s Lex Luthor in a Superman film makes his modus operandi more predictable , with an obvious attempt at de-escalate the superhero with Kryptonite . But these stakes grow more intense given how Eisenberg ’s DCEU unveiling duplicate as a Batman moving picture too - so Luthor ’s plans go beyond just immobilize Superman . organize a duel between the titular submarine sandwich , resurrect Doomsday with Kryptonian technology , and even bombing the US Capitol building showcase the sheer unpredictability of his actions . Comparisons with an anarchist like the Joker are bound to be made , but unlike him , Eisenberg ’s Luthor almost always had an endgame in vision .
When speaking about the backlash to his Lex Luthor performance , Jesse Eisenberg proved exactly why he was the ill-timed selection for the DCEU villain .
8The Role Allows Eisenberg To Balance His Trademark Sarcasm With Serious Drama
or else of lodge to the quintessential persona tropes of Lex Luthor from the comics , Eisenberg made the role truly his own by blending his own striking range . Previous lead roles in clowning likeZombielandandAdventurelandproved that he had immaculate comic timing , especially when it comes to sarcastic dialogue livery and deadpan physical affectation . tip of this sarcasm were evident on a more dramatic scale in his portrayal of Luthor . At the same time , Eisenberg captured the multiple moods of Luthor with occasional detours to more dramatic dominion , a callback to his more serious functioning inThe Social NetworkandThe Double .
7Zack Snyder Reveals An Emotional Side Of Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is n’t always plotting evil inBatman v Superman : Dawn of Justice . The way director Zack Snyder figure the character reference is also rooted in humanize him further . So , Eisenberg ’s Luthor can also have his fair portion of vulnerable moments , as is evident from the scene where he recalls the strained relationship he shared with a moneyed but mostly lacking father . His personality might be defined by his ruthlessness and ambitiousness , but underneath it all also rest a deep - seated insecurity that can often be overshadowed in dissimilar iteration of the baddie .
6Eisenberg’s Portrayal Has Callbacks To The Best Elements Of Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor
Gene Hackman ’s villainous turn in the Christopher Reeve - ledSupermanmovies remains one of thebest portrayals of Lex Luthor . While Hackman also gave his distinct twist to the character , Eisenberg seems to have adopt a page from his Holy Scripture while playing DCEU ’s Luthor . Much like Hackman ’s performance , Eisenberg obscure the antagonist ’s subterraneous motives with a witty charm and a magnetic personality . Hackman ’s Luthor might be more knightly in his personality , but theSocial Networkstar also has his own ways of bewitch attention whenever he ’s in the way . The clumsy humor that he call forth is another ok recall to Hackman .
player Playing Lex Luthor ( Live - activity )
Movie / TV Series

Lyle Talbot
Atom Man vs. Superman
Gene Hackman

Superman , Superman II , Superman IV
Scott James Wells / Sherman Howard
Superboy

John Shea
Lois & Clark : The New Adventures of Superman
Michael Rosenbaum

Smallville
Kevin Spacey
Superman Returns

Jesse Eisenberg
Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice , Justice League
Jon Cryer

Supergirl
Titus Welliver
Titans

Michael Cudlitz
Superman & Lois
Nicholas Hoult

dose : Legacy
5This Lex Luthor’s Hate For Superman Is Rooted In A God Complex
Though critics seeking mirthful book accuracy might find Eisenberg ’s Luthor to be more unhinged , his ultimate goals go in tandem bicycle with the source material . Regardless of the plot line , what often drives Luthor ’s plans against Superman is his own ego - importance and god complex . With Luthor constantly referring to Superman as a god among men , Eisenberg ’s depiction made Luthor all the more fixated on becoming a messiah figure himself . He ’s convert that his exceptional knowledge and lustfulness for mightiness can sweep over a god , as “ he can not beall - herculean ” , signify that , in take down a idol , Luthor believe he will be able-bodied to become a god himself .
A unexampled Lex Luthor features in James Gunn ’s Superman : Legacy - but how different will the villain be when compared to previous Superman pic ?
4Batman V Superman’s Lex Luthor Is A Businessman For The Modern Age
The 21st 100 ’s uber - deep no longer include just age oligarchs . With relatively untested tech entrepreneur like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk dominate the orbicular industry , a immature Lex Luthor as a business organization magnate makes perfect sense . Eisenberg already had a taste of being an challenging technical school millionaire , thanks to his twist as Zuckerberg inThe Social internet . Dramatizing that performance on a extensive canvass came effortlessly to Eisenberg inBatman v window pane : Dawn of Justice . A young , driven someone like his Luthor taking on the reins of Lexcorp offered thrilling possibilities for the DCEU ’s world(for better or for worse ) .
APaysetstudy in 2022 estimated Lex Luthor to be the richest scoundrel with a nett worth of $ 75 billion .
3Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor Is A Master Manipulator
Never before has Lex Luthor been so manipulative as he is inBatman v Superman : Dawn of Justice . Instead of directly going against Superman , he pock him against Batman and compensates for his want of forte by kill him through a resurrected Doomsday . The way Luthor make headway former Wayne Enterprises employee Wallace Keefe to his side and then uses him as bait for a larger plot reveals his manipulative prowess . By pull in enough fiscal and political support , he also endeavor to drive the ecumenical public discourse against superheroes ( conveniently hide the fact that his own natural action result in substantiative damage ) .
2The Future Of Snyderverse Left A Lot Of Future Potential For Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor
The aftermath ofBatman v Superman : Dawn of Justicerevealed that Luthor was serving time at Belle Reeve prison , shave off his hair’s-breadth much like his funny rule book counterpart . Luthor ’s return inJustice Leaguefound him uniting with Deathstroke , leaving a lot more destructive potential as a supervillain if the Snyder movies still continue . As his DCEU debut only cover his younger years , succeeding installments in the enfranchisement could have explore an older and grittier side to Luthor , representing notable character evolutionand more nicety , plant him asunder from other , more static versions of the villain .
Nicholas Hoult has been cast as Lex Luthor for the DCU ’s Superman : Legacy , despite auditioning for Superman , but this choice is in reality perfect .
1Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Was Convinced He’s A Hero
While many previous live - action Luthors were content with being sly , power - hungry villains , Eisenberg ’s version inBatman v Superman : Dawn of Justicewas convinced that he could actually lay aside the world from gods and superhumans alike . Even if his activity come at the toll of human life ( like the Capitol building),Eiseinberg ’s Luthor strove for a " complete " reality devoid of any damage - stimulate , overpowered caped superheroes . Eisenberg’sLex Luthoris convinced he ’s deliver humanity from devil whom he feels “ come from the sky ” ( much like his Kryptonian adversary ) , and the geographic expedition of this warped heroism made for some of the type ’s most interesting dimensions .





