In an interview with Total Film, Jesse Eisenberg talked a bit about his Lex Luthor role in BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, and revealed something very interesting; apparently the actor hadn't seen any comic book movies before he joined the Zack Snyder film.
When Eisenberg was told about Heath Ledger's take on the Joker and how the character was used in THE DARK KNIGHT, his response was, "Oh, that's interesting, really interesting." The actor goes on to say he also doesn't read comic books, but did check out a few after he was cast as Lex Luthor, and watched "that movie with Gene Hackman."
Jesse Eisenberg also told Total Film he didn't take the role in BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE just for the paycheck.
My father always cautions me against thinking of something as a means to some other end, because then its irresponsible to the 'means' thing…They asked me if I wanted to play the part before they sent me the script. I'm not sure how it worked, but it's something I read with the understanding that I could do the role, If I… [stops] You know, they don't just hand the scripts out. But I really liked it on its own terms. I would do it if it was for free and it was tiny.
The actor has spoke with screenwriter Chris Terrio about playing Lex Luthor, and Eisenberg says it's a fascinating role.
There are some indications of how the character should behave based on the script, and then as actor makes it his or her own. I got to know one of the writers really well, Chris Terrio, and we were able to discuss things at length and figure out who this person is to create a real psychology behind what is, perhaps, in a comic book, a less than totally modern psychology. I can only say I've been asked to play an interesting role: a complicated, challenging person.
To me, the biggest wild card in BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE is Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor. We don't know how the character will be used or how he'll appear in the Zack Snyder film (although there have been rumors), and many fans aren't happy about Eisenberg playing the iconic villain. It'll be very interesting to see how fans react to his version of the character.
BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE will open on March 25, 2016.
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