Jesse Eisenberg is Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons as Alfred for Superman/ Batman

Zack Snyder and Warner Bros. Pictures has found their Lex Luthor for the untitled Man of Steel sequel which fans have dubbed as Superman/Batman for the duration, in the form of actor Jesse Eisenberg.

In the DC Comics, Luthor was a supergenius who just hate Superman with a vengeance. Currently if you pick up a DC book, you'll see that Luthor is embroiled in a fight with the Crime Syndicate in Forever Evil together with a handful of DC rogues as well as Batman and Catwoman.

Eisenberg received Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and BAFTA Award nominations for his starring role as Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s The Social Network. He also starred in Woody Allen's To Rome with Love and Louis Letterier's Now You See Me.

Also in the outs is actor Jeremy Irons who will be playing the role of Bruce Wayne's butler and only father figure Alfred Pennyworth.

Some of the movies I remember Jeremy Irons in was in Die Hard as well as sharing his voice to Scar from The Lion King. 

UPDATE: I got the official press release now from Warner Bros. Pictures Phil.

BURBANK, CA, January 31, 2014 – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Jesse Eisenberg has been set to star as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons will play Alfred in the upcoming Zack Snyder untitled Superman/Batman film. The dual announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Snyder stated, “Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940. What’s great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain. He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.”

The director added, “As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman. It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne.”

Eisenberg received Academy Award®, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award® and BAFTA Award nominations for his starring role as Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher’s “The Social Network.” He also starred in Woody Allen’s “To Rome with Love” and Louis Letterier’s “Now You See Me.” He next appears in “The Double” and “Night Moves.”

Irons won the Academy Award® for his portrayal of Claus von Bülow in “Reversal of Fortune.” His work in the film also garnered him a Golden Globe Award. He won an Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for his performance in the TV miniseries “Elizabeth I,” opposite Helen Mirren, and recently starred on the small screen as Rodrigo Borgia in Neil Jordan’s highly acclaimed Showtime series “The Borgias,” for which Irons earned a Golden Globe nomination. He was recently nominated for a SAG Award® for the PBS Great Performances television miniseries “The Hollow Crown,” for his performance as Henry IV.

Snyder’s film stars Henry Cavill, reprising his role as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. The film also reunites “Man of Steel” stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

The new film is currently being written by Chris Terrio, from a screenplay by David S. Goyer. Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing, with Benjamin Melniker, Michael E. Uslan, Wesley Coller, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns serving as executive producers.

The film is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016, and is based on Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, Batman characters created by Bob Kane, and Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment.

Superman/Batman hits theaters 2016

Superman/Batman # 4 Review

Reviewing Superman/ Batman # 4 by Greg Pak and Jae Lee

I was surprised that I actually liked this issue given that my Jae Lee taste went down for the past few issues. 

Not going to beat around the bush here, so the strongest part of this issue falls around the end. In some weird way we get to understand the motivations behind Darkseid's attack on Justice League's first story arc plus the start of "Earth 2" and goes down further to what's currently happening to that book. 

Pak scores a home run with an OK ending for the two pairs of Supermen and Batmen. In some way, it's like a fitting start to the careers of the New 52 version of the World's Finest and at the same time, a way for us to peer into the world of the 'Wonders' from Earth 2 which we were seriously deprived in Earth 2.

I like the tease for the ending and the possible return of the villain too. Plus that scene revisiting the kid from issue # 1 was a good call. A really good bookended story arc. 

I'd say this issue's one of the strongest issues that's been produced for the title. Can't wait for what Greg Pak, Jae Lee and the rest of the creative team will be revealing next. 

Verdict: B+

Possible Concept Art for Ben Affleck BATMAN Costume Surfaces

A neat concept art has surfaced online featuring a possible look for Ben Affleck's Batman for 2015's Man of Steel 2 (which I like to dub as Superman/Batman or World's Finest).

Here's the entire image:

So the guy who did this was Steve Scott, who also worked on the initial Batman look for BATMAN BEGINS. Which also explains why this concept looks really similar to the first Christopher Nolan Batman movie.

There's nothing really wrong with this design, it basically continues what we've already seen in the last three Batman movies. There's a bit of NEW 52-ism here as well what with all those unnecessary lines (unless of course they tell us that the suit is modular). 

Obviously we're too far away from anything tangible for this DC Comics project helmed once again by Zack Snyder with the assist of Nolan. Let's all look at this suit, move on and file it under "let's wait and see". For all we know the next costume would be more akin to this. 

Will Bryan Cranston Be Getting the LEX LUTHOR Role?

From the looks of things Warner Bros. isn't really done with casting announcements for MAN OF STEEL 2 aka SUPERMAN/BATMAN aka WORLD'S FINEST. That's of course if you were to believe Cosmicbooknews' report that WB has already found their Lex Luthor in the form of BREAKING BAD star Bryan Cranston.

If we are to believe the only website that ran the story, then it looks like that Cranston got the bigger share of votes from another actor rumored to have gotten WB's attention - Mark Strong... who also happens to be SINESTRO in the GREEN LANTERN movie.

Again, I'm taking this bit of information with a grain of salt, and I'd like to comment on how perfect Cranston would be for the role. He can go from charming, demure and shy which was Walter White in the early parts of Breaking Bad's season to an egomaniacal, power hungry tyrant. Oh and in between you can see that he can also go for damaged genius once in awhile. That alone is perfect chemistry for a good Lex Luthor. Oh and a high tech battle suit wouldn't hurt either.

New 52 Luthor in his battle suit for Villain Month

Point is (a) take the Cosmicnews story with a grain of salt and don't assume that it's a 100% accurate because there's been no real announcement from Warner Bros. regarding this casting. (b) Bryan Cranston is perfect for the role of Lex Luthor if you ask me. (c) Mark Strong should really stick with Sinestro because he was such a great yet underused bastard in Ryan Reynold's Green Lantern.

Ben Affleck Announced as the New BATMAN

It's official, ARGO director BEN AFFLECK has been tapped to play the role of Bruce Wayne/ Batman for the sequel to MAN OF STEEL

Here's a fraction of the report coming from Hero Complex

"In a statement, director Zack Snyder expressed his excitement about the casting of Affleck, noting, “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Snyder, who directed “Man of Steel,” is set to co-write the story with David S. Goyer, who will pen the screenplay.

Production is expected to begin next year, with a July 17, 2015, release date."

Meanwhile, Here's Stephen Amell (Oliver Queen from Arrow) on Twitter reacting about the announcement:

I'm now totally confident I'll eventually play Iron Man.
— Stephen Amell (@amellywood) August 23, 2013

Superman/Batman Finally Happening

One of the biggest (if not the biggest) news from SDCC 2013 is the announcement of a SUPERMAN/BATMAN movie.

Obviously no details yet. The announcement alone is big enough. This'll probably be the talk of the town for a good week or so. To add more brevity to the announcement, Zack Snyder had this soundbite featuring the voice of the guy who played General Swanwick in "MAN OF STEEL". 

"I want you to remember, Clark…in all the years to come…in your most private moments…I want you to remember…my hand…at your throat…I want…you to remember…the one man who beat you."

That line of course was utterred famously by Batman during his fight with Superman in Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns...

Here's the photo of the logo as revealed to con-goers today...

Photo courtesy of NERD REACTOR

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give this around 8.5. This also reminds me of that poster we saw years ago from the film I AM LEGEND.

Superman/Wonder Woman Title Announced

IGN broke the news today that DC Comics will be releasing a new book entitled "Superman/ Wonder Woman' which will show adventures featuring two of DC's most powerful heroes [who also happen to be in a relationship]

The new series will be similar to this month's SUPERMAN/BATMAN book with artist Jae Lee but will feature writer Charles Soule (Swamp Thing) together with current Action Comics artist Tony Daniels. Expect the title to hit your LCS, October 2013.