Warner Bros. is considering Joaquin Phoenix, most recently seen falling in love with a computer in the Spike Jonze movie Her, for a role in the film widely dubbed Batman vs. Superman, Variety reports. According to sources, he could be tapped as the film’s antagonist, probably Lex Luthor. Whether he will receive a formal offer or accept one is another matter, as is the veracity of the rumor: after all, it’s only been a few months since Bryan Cranston denied being cast as the supervillain. If it becomes official, Phoenix’s Lex Luthor will join Fast & Furious actor Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, Ben Affleck’s Batman, Henry Cavill’s Superman, and Amy Adams’ Lois Lane on the sequel to Man of Steel.
Joaquin Phoenix reportedly being considered as Lex Luthor in ‘Batman vs. Superman’
is a senior tech and policy editor focused on online platforms and free expression. Adi has covered virtual and augmented reality, the history of computing, and more for The Verge since 2011.
The film doesn’t come out until the summer of 2015, but casting rumors have been flying since it was announced at San Diego Comic Con, suggesting that we’ll see a lot of cameos from other DC characters. While a fight between Batman and Superman was immortalized in Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, director Zack Snyder has insisted that he’s not making an adaptation of the comic, though it will draw inspiration from it.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
