Think about Bryan Cranston playing Lex Luthor in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice for a moment; it’s a thought worth exploring, right? It’s also obvious that the idea was not absurd given that Cranston’s name was one of the first to be mentioned related to the role.
Later, it came out that Jesse Eisenberg, the star of The Social Network, who resembled Lex Luthor in none of his previous appearances, would portray the antagonist. Before Eisenberg was cast, a number of actors were suggested by fans to play Lex Luthor, with Bryan Cranston being one of the most popular suggestions.
Was Warner Bros In Talks With Bryan Cranston Regarding Lex Luthor Role?
When MTV asked Bryan Cranston about whether Warner Bros was in touch with him regarding the role of Lex Luthor in the 2016 movie, the actor adamantly responded that he had not. He went on to say this:
“It was all fan driven. They’re thinking, ‘Who could play Lex Luthor? Who’s bald who could be menacing? Ooohh, Walter White! We can get that guy.’ And it’s not very inspiring casting.”
There were quite a few fans who believed Walter “Heisenberg” White would become Superman’s central nemesis and a lot of fans thought that it would be the reality. It didn’t, though. Jesse Eisenberg, an Oscar-nominated actor, and an undeniably talented young guy, was chosen for the role.
Cranston was asked by Josh Horowitz of MTV’s Happy, Sad, Confused podcast about whether or not he had ever had real conversations about playing those live-action characters.
Cranston once lent his voice to Commissioner Gordon in Batman: Year One.
In reply to Horowitz, Cranston said,
“Not that I know of. I did Jim Gordon in the animated Batman thing. And that was fun. I think it was – I think you’re right, I think it was, like, lazy casting. There should be a, like, ‘lazycasting.com.’ And I was like ‘What is it?’ Because I had a bald head, they go ‘Ah! Lex Luthor!’ It’s like, come on. Let’s think about this a little bit.”
When asked how the role would have affected his career, the Breaking Bad star described it as, “a twenty, it’s a life-changing role“, one that he’d have loved to take on.
All the speculation regarding Cranston portraying Lex Luthor was just “fan-driven” hype.
Is There Any Chance Of Bryan Cranston Being A Part Of The New DC Universe?
Responding to an earlier report that he has signed on for six films as Superman’s nemesis, Cranston told the Boston Globe: “Six? This is all news to me. I think that maybe my name is bandied about because I’m known to be bald. ‘What bald guy can we get?’ The reality is they can take any actor and shave his head or put a bald cap on him.”
The glittering backdrops of superhero movies are where most actors’ sharp eyes are fixed. Many actors have expressed a strong desire to act in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe, which are at the forefront of superhero producers from comic books.
However, given the current set-up, it seems unlikely that Bryan Cranston will portray Lex Luthor or any other comic book movie character. In order to expand beyond its Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters slate, DC Universe is looking for a younger individual who can work with the studio for a long time.
As Legacy prepares to start filming early in 2024, rumors have already suggested that a few actors are screen testing for the role of Luthor.
Anyhow, Bryan Cranston is mostly known for his role as Walter White in the television series Breaking Bad. His talent and adaptability have also helped him establish a solid reputation in the entertainment world, and he is still well-acclaimed for his acting abilities.
Source: The Direct
