Fanboys Anonymous

The Internet is about to break in half. Casting news came out today for the upcoming Superman vs. Batman vs. Wonder Woman epic (I can't wait until they name this damn movie), and I don't think any of us saw these names coming!

Rick Moranis as Steve Trevor!.....just kidding.

Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) has been officially cast as Superman's greatest enemy, Lex Luthor. Meanwhile, Jeremy Irons, the voice of Scar from The Lion King and Simon Gruber from Die Hard with a Vengeance, will replace Michael Caine in our hearts as the new Alfred Pennyworth.

Details on the plot of this film are nothing but speculation, as the script is still being written by Chris Terrio. The screenplay is by David S. Goyer, who has a fairly respected track record, but hopes for this film are all over the map.

Officially, the film is a sequel to the awkwardly received Man of Steel movie but is being used as a launchpad for DC's plans to match Marvel's screen success. The fear (or understanding?) that Superman can barely hold a movie on his own is making this film become a larger spectacle than is needed. The story has been said to include multiple superheroes in either cameos or end-credit sequences, all to set up an eventual Justice League movie. Names being thrown around are Aquaman, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and The Flash. Those last two have TV series now, and DC/WB hopes to eventually tie their TV products in with the big-screen ones, expanding a fan's viewing options. Much like Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D will feature characters from the movies, DC hopes to make this take on the genre their own, unique brand.

As a sequel, the film will very likely rely heavily on Superman and Clark Kent's story. As such, the film includes Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, and Diane Lane reprising their roles from that film. Ben Affleck has been controversially cast as Batman, and Gal Gadot has also been controversially cast as Wonder Woman. The movie is looking to be a large cast of some respectable actors taking on some difficult roles in the terms of shoes to fill.

So, Fanboys and Fangirls…what do you think? These two actors are extremely strong choices that I don't think anybody was expecting. Is Eisenberg old enough or devious enough to pull off playing Lex? Will he shave his head and have a wig like Gene Hackman did? Is Jeremy Irons friendly enough to pull off Alfred? He certainly has the potential with that soft, smooth voice of his, but has he played too many villains to turn us around?