As the highly anticipated Superman trailer from James Gunn and DC Studios draws near, now’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the iconic iterations of the Man of Steel and his arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed the iconic Lex Luthor in the 2016 box office hit Batman v Superman and made a brief appearance in Justice League, recently opened up about the repercussions of that film’s underwhelming reception.
In a recent episode of Armchair Knowledgeable, the actor offered insights on the reception of the Zack Snyder-directed crossover film, specifically sharing his perspective on how his portrayal of Lex Luthor was received. Apparently, he harbored some discomfort despite his efforts to appear otherwise.
I’ve never publicly disclosed this before, and admitting it now is mortifyingly awkward; however, I genuinely believe that being misinformed on something so prominent did indeed hinder my career in a very real way, since I was poorly received in such a public setting? He spoke candidly about the deeply personal consequences of being embroiled in highly publicized controversies, stating that they can have a profound impact on one’s professional life.
Noting a resurgence of popularity in the 2010s, particularly following his role in David Fincher’s acclaimed film, “The Social Network”, Eisenberg gained moderate fame by 2010. While it’s challenging to reconcile his filmography with the considerable expectations that arose from his involvement in the former DC Extended Universe, which has since ceased to exist. While some primary actors in these films have successfully transitioned to other roles, Eisenberg’s unconventional portrayal of Luthor stood out for all the wrong reasons, drawing intense scrutiny from critics.
While initially skeptical about the actor’s suitability for a serious film, I also commend him for boldly committing to the role and refusing to phone it in. As it turned out, Snyder’s guidance helped shape Henry Cavill’s portrayal of Lex, which prophetically captured the essence of insufferable tech moguls bursting with excess energy – a phenomenon we’d witness just a decade later, making their collaboration on this aspect of the film a fortuitous stroke.
Despite the lucrative paycheck, Eisenberg seems moderately pleased that the role had an overall negative impact on his profession as a whole. With his recent success, including the potential for an award-worthy film like A Actual Ache, which he also wrote and directed, he has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Will Nicholas Hoult ultimately prove a more formidable foe than Gene Hackman as the iconic nemesis of Superman?
