If you've been keeping up with news on Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel sequel Batman Vs. Superman, there's been a new rumor hitting the web just about every week. But just two weeks ago we got our first confirmed casting announcement since the news that Ben Affleck would be playing Batman, and that was that Fast and Furious star Gal Gadot would be portraying Wonder Woman in the film. Well now that we have most of the main heroes of the film sorted out, it still leaves the question of who will be playing the film's villain (Or villains). Well recent reports have suggested that Joaquin Phoenix (Her) may be up for that role, which is most likely that of Superman's arch-nemesis; Lex Luthor.
The report comes courtesy of Variety who indicates that Warner Bros. is eyeing Phoenix to play the primary antagonist in the film, although they do mention that he may not accept if offered. This doesn't come off as much of a surprise given that since his turn in Academy Award winning films such as Walk the Line and Gladiator, Phoenix has generally stuck to more indie based projects (Such as just this week in Spike Jonze's Her). While the possibility of Phoenix being cast is unlikely, the actor has proven in recent years that his career moves aren't exactly what most of us would expect (See I'm Still Here). Personally I think Phoenix would make an outstanding addition to the film's cast, and has already proven how menacing of a villain he can be in his role as Commodus in Gladiator.
That being said the fact that Variety refers to the role Phoenix is being looked at as "the main villain"makes it likely this is referring to Superman's enemy Lex Luthor, who has already been teased by director Zack Snyder, as well as in several easter eggs seen throughout Man of Steel. While there were rumors months ago that Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) and Mark Strong (Kick-Ass) were the top candidates for the role, recent reports claimed that Warner Bros. was looking for an African American actor to take on the part, with Denzel Washington (Two Guns) and Idris Elba (Pacific Rim) being their top choices. Although Phoenix's involvement does debunk those rumors, it's possible that Elba and Washington are in fact being looked at for the part, but there's probably no particular race the studio has in mind for the Luthor.
The rumor of Phoenix's possible involvement comes just a week after Variety reported that Game of Throne's star Jason Momoa was being looked at for a villain role in the film as well. Now that site has sorted out that the role Momoa is in fact up for is that of a secondary antagonist in the film, which is the same role Callan Mulvey (Zero Dark Thirty) was rumored for back when the Wonder Woman casting announcement was made. Although there's a number of possibilities as to who this secondary villain may be, recent speculation has indicated that the role may be that of Vandal Savage, or Superman villains Doomsday or Metallo.
Now to some Batman Vs. Superman news behind the camera, The Hollywood Reporter brings news that Argo screenwriter Chris Terrio has been brought on board to rewrite David S. Goyer's screenplay. Many fans who weren't exactly pleased with Goyer's script for Man of Steel will be very pleased to hear that the Oscar winner will be helping out, and the news also shows just how involved Ben Affleck is in the production aspects of the film. Goyer's better projects such as The Dark Knight trilogy were all collaborations, so Terrio's involvement should be a breath of fresh air for concerned fans.
So what do you think of Phoenix playing Lex Luthor? What villain role do you think Momoa and Mulvey are are up for? And are you happy with Chris Terrio helping out with the script? Sound off below.
