After delivering an excellent performance for Warner Bros. in Her, it seems as if the studio wants to work with Joaquin Phoenix again as they have offered him the role of the villain in Batman vs. Superman. Though there’s no confirmation just yet, sources are saying the role is that of Lex Luthor. Apparently, the actor has not accepted and according to Variety, “it’s still very early in the process.”
Of course, Phoenix has been known to opt for smaller films in the past and usually distances himself from big blockbusters like this, so there’s a good chance that he’ll turn the studio down. Plus, we already know that he currently has his eye on Sea of Trees, the next film from director Gus Van Sant and a film that would be much more up his alley. Given where the actor is in his career right now, and the types of films that he usually makes, I would say that it’s more likely we’ll be seeing him in Sea of Trees rather than Batman vs. Superman. But then again, you never know, stranger things have happened.
Personally, I’ve always been a big fan of Joaquin Phoenix. He’s been doing some really excellent work lately and though he’s probably the last person I would have pegged as playing the villain in a film like this, I can actually kind of see it now. After all, he had a great villainous turn in Gladiator, so I think it could definitely work out here.
Batman vs. Superman opens on July 17th, 2015. Tell us, who do you want to see in the role of Lex Luthor?