With Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck already cast as Superman and Batman, WB thought it might be a good idea to hire somebody who could act to play one the greatest villains in comic book history in Batman vs. Superman. Enter Joaquin Phoenix as Lex Luthor. This is much better than my Bryan Cranston fantasy. Variety reports:
Sources tell Variety that the studio wants the Oscar-nominated actor for a role in the upcoming untitled Batman-Superman pic. However, it’s very early in the process and even if Warners offers Phoenix a role, it’s not clear he would accept as the actor has steered clear of big-budget pics in the past few years, leaning towards movies with a more prestige feel. Phoenix is also weighing an offer on the Gus Van Sant pic “Sea of Trees” and is believed to still be considering that offer as well. WB and the actor’s reps had no comment. Though sources couldn’t confirm what the role is, it’s believed to be for the main antagonist, which is likely to be Lex Luthor. Names like Jason Momoa and Callan Mulvey have been linked to the film but even if those actors are cast, sources are saying that they wouldn’t play the main villain, and that Warners has always wanted someone who would be a slam dunk in the role.
So, okay, I’m fully on board with this because even though his brother looked like an angel sent from heaven who also might have herpes and he looks like a candidate for Operation Smile, Joaquin Phoenix is the better actor. There. I said it. Just watch The Master then imagine that guy as Lex Luthor. He’d have to put Sriracha on the script because chewing up all those scenes would start to taste bland after a while.
