1. Bryan Cranston
This almost seems like a match made in heaven. Cranston has proven that he has great range (Malcolm in the Middle to Argo) and has also portrayed arguably the best villain in television history. Hell he was even a bald villain. But Luthor is always portrayed as extremely intelligent, cunning, arrogant, business savvy, a master manipulator and believes all of his decisions, even when evil and horrifying, are justified.
2. Denzel Washington
I don’t put any weight in the “Denzel as John Stewart” rumors due to the fact that he’s in his early 60’s. Although at times he looks like he’s only in his 40’s and Samuel L Jackson is even older and will probably play Nick Fury until he’s dead, I just don’t see Denzel Washington portraying Green Lantern into his late 60’s and possibly even 70’s. However, I do think he’d be willing to portray Lex Luthor for a few movies, especially since he doesn’t look his age. Based on Washington’s performance in “Safe House” and even more so in “American Gangster” and “Training Day”. He proved to provide all of the qualities I listed for Bryan Cranston previously, and then some. Lex Luthor is often written with a sense of style or swagger and an unflappable demeanor. Cranston is a fantastic actor, he doesn’t quite possess the on screen presence and swagger Washington had in the three movies I listed above. I also don’t think the race thing would be too big of a deal. He’s such a familiar name that I doubt people would choose not to see it just because he was cast as Luthor. Also, many of the people in my generation and myself grew up with the “Superman: The Animated Series”, “Justice League” and “Justice League Unlimited” Lex Luthor who appeared to be racially ambiguous. He was bald and still possessed his trademark personality, but had the skin tone and facial features of person that could be biracial, Latino, black or a tan Caucasian.
Your thoughts?