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METROPOLIS — Last week, John and I discussed the Batman casting rumors being kicked around at the Hollywood Reporter. This week, rumors are starting to swirl surrounding Superman archenemy Lex Luthor and some of the capable actors ready to slip into his Brioni wardrobe.
According to El Mayimbe at Latino-Review, a source I used to have a lot more faith in, Mark Strong and Bryan Cranston are being considered for the role of Lex Luthor in the upcoming “Man of Steel” sequel. If true, this confirms at least one of the baddies for the Batman/Superman crossover project while also giving us a good idea of the kind of actor they’re looking for to fill the position.
#poll
#poll2
Personally, I thought Kevin Spacey was kind of perfect for the role. But since Bryan Singer's ill-conceived superkid plot sailed that ship, here are 10 actors we feel are ready to take over the super-genius mantle.
Travis Poppleton's list
Travis: Sherlock fans know Cumberbatch plays genius better than almost any actor out there. Star Trek fans know he can be convincing as both unhinged and refined, and anyone who saw “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” knows the kid is just an all-around good actor. If they don’t cast Cumberbatch, it’s probably because Superman one-upping him is just too unrealistic. If I get only one pick, I go with Cumberbatch.
John: When Travis told me he was going with Cum berbatch, I curled up in a ball and wept because I didn’t think of it. Travis hit the nail on the head why he’d be great for the part. The only thing I’ll add is he’s Khan and Sherlock, point being, there is no match for the Batch.
Travis: Whenever you try and sell a character so evil he’s actually plotting to take over the world, there has to be a believable crazy factor. Whether that’s Teddy KGB from “Rounders” or Henry Jekyll from the woefully misguided “Mary Reilly,” Malkovich continues to reinvent genius-gone-too-far in a compelling way, and I’d love to see how he’d tackle Superman’s brainy adversary.
This obviously flies in the face of the Lex-and-Supes-went-to-high-school-together idea, but traditionally on film, Lex has been older than Superman.
John: Malkovich is a great actor and he can pull off virtually any part, but I’m not sure Lex should be one he tackles. Malkovich can play crazy better than just about anybody, and if we were writing this 10 years ago, I’d be all over this choice.
#poll3
Travis: He just kind of did super-villain in “Iron Man 3,” but I still think he pulls this off. Any other actor with Kingsley’s resume of “Prince of Persia,” “The Love Guru” and “BloodRayne” is not working today. But Kingsley does whatever he wants because he’s Ben Kingsley — and for every “BloodRayne,” there’s a “Hugo” or “Shutter Island” or “Gandhi,” and he’s always entirely new. You combine the Kingsley from “Sexy Beast” and “Sneakers” and pit him against the Man of Steel? That’s a showdown I’d like to see.
John: Ben Kingsley is an amazing actor and I actually like this choice quite a bit. What I don’t like is that he just played The Mandarin, kind of, in “Iron Man 3.” He was a great villain and he’d do Luthor justice, but I’m ready to see someone else be the super villain. With that said, he’d still be a great choice. Point Travis.
Travis: I’m not sure if Javier Bardem shaving his head would be more terrifying than his haircut in “No Country for Old Men,” but I know as soon as he calls Superman “Friend-o,” the son of Jor-El is calling in Bruce Wayne for backup.
John: Bardem can play bad better than just about anyone. Between “No Country for Old Men” and “Skyfall,” he is the epitome of villain, but not Lex. As much as I like him as an actor, I just can’t see him as the one and only Lex Luthor. Maybe I get too caught up with accents, but Luthor can’t be a Spaniard, can he?
Travis: Edward Norton is a go-to actor for just about anything in my playbook, and since his now famous tiff with Marvel, this would be a great chance for him to step into the DC universe and do something amazing. I was really disappointed when they cut him from “The Avengers,” but if it all worked out so he could play Lex, I’d be OK with that.
John: I usually don’t like giving Travis too much credit, but he put together a solid list. Even if I don’t agree with some of the choices, Cumberbatch and Norton put his list over the top. Norton is a phenomenal actor and he can embody Luthor better than just about any other actor out there. We also know he can play bald, thanks to “American History X.”
John Clyde's list
John: When Travis and I first exchanged lists for this one, my first three picks were Bryan Cranston. It’s been a long time since Cranston was Malcolm’s dad, he’s now Heisenberg to me. Cranston is a phenomenal actor, and his demeanor, humor and look are exactly what a new, ruthless and calculating Lex Luthor should be.
Travis: I can’t be 100 percent sure, but I believe this is John’s number one choice, and it’s hard to argue Cranston wouldn't be great. In fact, I’m not going to. Not only is he solid in “Breaking Bad” and "Argo," but also he’s worked with DC in the past, making him probably the most realistic pick on this list, and the world should go ahead and embrace that.
John: If there is one guy that knows how to play “the heavy,” it’s Mark Strong. From “Sherlock Holmes” to “Stardust,” Mark Strong is just a joy to watch. Strong probably fits the look better than anyone working today, and he’s more intimidating than anyone on this list.
Travis: In one of our previous lists, I got heaps from John for mentioning Taylor Kitsch, and John’s main argument was basically, “This is the kid from ‘John Carter.’ ” Since then, “John Carter” has been a regular pool for John’s lists, and while I think Strong would be fine, I have to play the “John Carter” card here. Lynn Collins can’t be Wonder Woman and Mark Strong can’t be Lex.
John: Gary Oldman may seem a bit old for the part, but no one is more of a chameleon than Oldman. Oldman has an incredible track record, and if anyone can find a different and fascinating, Luthor it’s him.
Travis: Excellent choice by Mr. Clyde here. Oldman is an actor who disappears into any role, and I’d love to see him tackle Lex Luthor. If DC really is calling it quits on Nolan’s Batman (a rumor I’m still not buying just yet), casting Commissioner Gordon as Metropolis’ greatest villain and the U.S.’s future president would be one way to send that message.
John: I have a feeling this choice is going to get me ripped apart, especially by Travis, but I’m sticking with it. Hugh Jackman may not always pick the best roles, but he’s a proven actor, and I think it’s about time we saw him play the baddie. We got a glimpse at his obsessive and villainous ways in “The Prestige,” and I think it’s time we saw more of that.
Travis: John is correct. I do hate this choice. Jackman did a fine job as Jean Valjean, and he played Wolverine as well as I imagine anyone will, but Jackman isn’t selling super-genius. Jackman could probably play obsessive army general or maybe one of those ’80’s villains that steals your girlfriend and makes you face him on a killer ski slope, but he isn’t coming up with ideas big enough to stop Superman.
John: I wasn’t totally sold on my own pick with Bana at first, but then he became one of my favorites. Bana is an excellent actor, and he can play the bad guy. However, Bana actually started off as a comedic actor, and with that background he could bring some of the levity and sharp tongue we’ve come to associate with Luthor. Given the chance, Bana could be the one person we associate with Lex Luthor.
Travis: John and I both have a Hulk and a Star Trek villain on our list — John just managed to get both in the same guy. The truth is, “The Time Traveler’s Wife” wasn’t Bana’s fault, and “Hanna” and “Munich” and Anchor from “Finding Nemo” are reason enough to give Banna the props he deserves. I’d love to see him back on top, and I can buy into him playing an evil genius. Three out of five isn’t bad, John. Travis Poppleton has been covering movie news and film reviews for Deseret News and KSL.com since 2010, and continues to contribute coverage for film festivals and other live events in Utah. You can contact him at tspoppleton@gmail.com.
