Analyzing Lex Luthor Junior: OR Why I Think its Brilliant

Analyzing Lex Luthor Junior: OR Why I Think its Brilliant

There's been a lot of hate for Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal in the marketing for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But here is why I think it's actually smart. Hit the jump to check out my thoughts

Editorial Opinion
By DannRamm113 - Dec 04, 2015 07:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Batman vs. Superman


So the first time I saw the new trailer, which was live on Jimmy Kimmell, I found Jesse Eisenberg weird in the beginning.  I was confused, because of the other trailer, where they showed him a bit more ruthless as opposed to how he acted in the beginning.  Then, upon my second viewing, I saw what they were doing:  there is a metamorphosis of Lex in the film.

I saw Lex in the trailer, and then thought "Holy shit, its brilliance". They are marketing Lex like how Lex markets himself!  The eccentric billionaire that comes off as too cocky and somewhat annoying.  But then, think about it.  Isn't this how Lex was before he was ousted as a villain.  Imagine this Lex going out into a crowd saying "Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent!  I love bringing people together."  Then going into another room and basically saying "[frick]ing idiots think I'm actually that stupid".

It’s only when he's alone with someone that he turns into the person he is.  Just see how he interacts with Lois and Superman.  Probably one of my favorite lines from any of the trailers is “Psychotic is a 3 syllable word for any thought too big for little minds”.  That is how he is.  Just like how Bruce Wayne is a mask for Batman, the “I love bringing people together” Lex Jr. is a mask for the cold calculating genius.  And that is how they are marketing him, so that when he snaps, it genuinely shocks the audience.

Don’t think he’ll snap?  Just listen to him say “If man won’t kill god, then the devil will do it!”  The tone of his voice that is him.  That is him snapping.  When he loses his hair, which he will, then the Lex everyone wants to see will be there.  The cold, mean, just asshole that you want to hate.  He will lose his mask, and be more public with his hate.  But for right now, it is in the shadows. 

Give it time.  Look at him in the other trailers.  “Devils don’t come from hell beneath us.  They come from the sky.”  “The red capes are coming”.  These aren’t coming from him in public.  Those are meant to be him in the shadows, manipulating the events.  So far, I love this Lex.  He gives off that “You really don’t know who you are messing with” vibe.  If you [frick] with him, he will create a giant bone protruding beast to come after you…  Mind over muscle, as some might say.

And in wrapping this up, let me just say, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the film, for those who say it showed too much.  The kryptonite, the bandage on Lex’s hand (that still bothers me that I notice it but no one else does), how Batman and Superman will make up, Aquaman.  We just know Doomsday is in the movie now, which has been predicted to many times, as well as hinted at.  

So what do you guys think?  Are you excited to see Lex Luthor "Jr." in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice?  Comment bellow!
James Gunn Reveals His Title For A (Hypothetical) BATMAN And SUPERMAN Team-Up Movie
Related:

James Gunn Reveals His Title For A (Hypothetical) BATMAN And SUPERMAN Team-Up Movie

BATMAN: Ben Affleck's DCEU Appearances Ranked From Worst To Best According To Rotten Tomatoes
Recommended For You:

BATMAN: Ben Affleck's DCEU Appearances Ranked From Worst To Best According To Rotten Tomatoes

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3 4
EricBorder
EricBorder - 12/4/2015, 8:23 PM
Thumbed.

I can't wait to see Lex Luthor evolve in the movie.... loved the trailer
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 12/4/2015, 8:24 PM
Right on.

Evolution, baby.



Can't wait
Castiglione
Castiglione - 12/4/2015, 8:27 PM
@VisionaryNPA

I think your blood sugar is getting low again, because your making absolutely no sense at all

Have some Orange Juice

DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 12/4/2015, 8:30 PM
@dannramm113

I can't wait to see Lex in B v S. I wrote this up the other week, check it out if you have a chance....

Lex is one of my favorite characters

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/superman/news/?a=126746
EricBorder
EricBorder - 12/4/2015, 8:41 PM
Awesome.

We can't even enjoy the comment sections for EDITORIALS anymore, ha

Aren't the articles on the main page enough for the flame wars
DeusExSponge
DeusExSponge - 12/4/2015, 8:55 PM
Excellent editorial and well made points my good man!
Darktower
Darktower - 12/4/2015, 9:10 PM
Looks like someone read my comment about lex!! haha jk

Grt article!! I had the same thought too.

In front of the public he is this goody, goofy, nerd guy. as seen when he is talking to clark n bruce, plus when he was speakin to Holly hunter in the trailer,
but when he is alone with Lois or Supe, we can see his tone totally changing!!

that awesome!!
Also, This dual persona thingy was alluded by both Zack Snyder and Jesse Eisenberg in interviews.
Darktower
Darktower - 12/4/2015, 9:26 PM
Utopian8418
Utopian8418 - 12/4/2015, 11:53 PM




Luthor is not a whiny teenager
Utopian8418
Utopian8418 - 12/4/2015, 11:57 PM
Terrio will probably nail his feelings towards Superman though and that evolution will probably be very interesting.
ThedamnBatman
ThedamnBatman - 12/5/2015, 3:42 AM
e
ev
evo
evolu
evolut
evoluti
evolutio
Evolution
evolutio
evoluti
evolut
evolu
evol
evo
ev
e
Pedrito
Pedrito - 12/5/2015, 4:36 AM
Jesse was like a damn parody in that trailer.
Just an awful portrayal of Luthor.

Let me get this straight. WB fanboys think Doomsday is ok looking like shit because he'll evolve into a better look.. Now Lex will also "evolve" into not sucking?
At least try to be more creative with your hopeless rationalization.
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 12/5/2015, 7:39 AM
@Pedrito

Nope.

"Doomsday" looks great and I can't wait to see him in action, and yeah, I think he will evolve, if you've ever read any of his battles in the comics, you would understand how evolution and regeneration are at the core of his characterization

and, Lex will evolve, that's why they posted the bald promo pic of him.... It was never a question of will Lex evolve? It was always something that everyone knew would happen in the movie. This movie is technically the origin of Lex Luthor.

The comics did something very similar....



DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 12/5/2015, 7:48 AM
Before....





After....





I can't wait, I love character progression and watching characters evolve within movies and definitely within a cinematic universe
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 12/5/2015, 8:00 AM
@ManCalledSting

I also heard that it's been confirmed that Batman v Superman is only 3 minutes long!

I heard that on CBM, so it must be accurate, right? haha
BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 12/5/2015, 8:01 AM
Lex Jr is awful, but not as awful as cave troll Doomsday.
Fanmar16
Fanmar16 - 12/5/2015, 8:03 AM
It is more like Edward Nigma that Lex Luthor
PesciGotPepsi
PesciGotPepsi - 12/5/2015, 8:06 AM
I feel the EXACT same

Love the direction they are taking Lex and Eisenberg will KILL it
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 12/5/2015, 8:10 AM
You know guys, i think there's a word for evolution, its character development...just because we haven't had a real villain with development and progression in a while doesn't mean it's bad lol
Invictor
Invictor - 12/5/2015, 8:10 AM
I like the way they're doing Lex so far and I agree with this editorial. If anyone has read any comic book with Lex Luthor, they'd know that he is deceiving the public and everyone around him. In Birthright, Lex made it seem as if he was allies with Superman and used it to his advantage to make him look like the bad guy. You'd honestly think Lex would shake the hand of Bruce Wayne, a rival CEO of a rival corporation?
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 12/5/2015, 8:10 AM
@Fanmar16

Nigma and Luthor actually share a lot of character attributes.... they both think that they are smarter and better than everybody else, they think they are better than the norm, better than "Normal" people

But Lex in Batman v Superman, isn't Edward Nigma at all, that's such a bad comparison

Nigma wouldn't have been able to hold a party like Lex is in the trailer, or run a business like Lex is, or talk to the Senator like Lex is, he's not psychologically stable enough to do that, that's one of the main differences between Lex and Nigma.... Lex can pull off the public persona, Nigma can't....

I also love how their playing off the fact that Lex is a scientist in the trailer
MrMartyMarvel
MrMartyMarvel - 12/5/2015, 8:11 AM
Even if personality wise Luthor evolves into the Luthor we all know and love, he'll still be played by Jesse Eisenberg. I just can't take Jesse Eisenberg seriously as a villain, it'll never happen.
XelCorp
XelCorp - 12/5/2015, 8:12 AM
Manx
Manx - 12/5/2015, 8:12 AM
Anyone else think he's in a prison issued jumpsuit here? Could be his last scene in the film. Now bald and under arrest for alien/gene splicing/criminal douchbaggery.
[img]
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 12/5/2015, 8:12 AM
@Dev7

This is NOT the Joker situation.

I hated the Joker tattoos at first and I was very vocal about that, the tattoos have grown on me, especially after watching the trailer

Plus, Leto is perfect casting for the Joker
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 12/5/2015, 8:15 AM
After thinking about it and thinking about it and thinking about it for a while.

I don't like Jeese's Lex. I haven't since day 1. I liked some of the stuff in the SDCC trailer but that intro with him "Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent. You do not want to pick a fight with this guy" I'm expecting Deadpool to show up behind Lex and both wink at the camera.

It's not Lex. I like the confidence Jesse displays as Lex and some of his lines are really really great lines but I don't like Jesse.

Fine with Batfleck, ok with Gal as Wonder Woman, loved the cast of MOS (cast was perfect, film wasn't), love Scar as Alfred (who I actually fancast), like Momoa as Aquaman and his look, and like Doomsday being involved to get him over with.

But I can't stand Jesse as Lex. I can't. My Lex picks were Michael C Hall, Jon Hamm, and Joaquin Phoenix and I just imagine them doing so much better than Jesse.
XelCorp
XelCorp - 12/5/2015, 8:15 AM


1 2 3 4
View Recorder