Much like he has throughout his entire career thanks to brilliant performances in movies like The Master and Walk The Line, Joaquin Phoenix is currently getting an unyielding amount of praise for his turn in Spike Jonze's sci-fi romance Her (which hits theaters in limited release today), but soon he may be heading from the indie world into the big blockbuster territory. According to Variety's sources, Warner Bros. is now targeting the actor for an important role in Zack Snyder's upcoming Man of Steel, and while the exact character isn't specified, it's rumored that he could be up to play Superman arch-villain Lex Luthor.
Before you get too excited about this news, however, this is still far from a slam dunk. While the studio may be interested in getting the actor for the part, they are still in the earliest stages of the idea and it's not even clear if an offer has been made. Also, as the trade points out, Phoenix has spent his career avoiding blockbuster/action movies, which means that even if Warner Bros. wants him, he may not have any interest.
Should Phoenix sign on, it would not only put him in a cast alongside Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Diane Lane and Lawrence Fishburne, but also Amy Adams, with whom he worked on both The Master and Her. The film will be going into production in the first half of next year in order to meet the currently-scheduled July 17, 2015 release date.
Variety points out that names like Jason Momoa and Callan Mulvey have been rumored to be in consideration for the still untitled Batman vs. Superman movie, but their sources are now saying that neither of the characters will be playing the film's main villain. Instead, the studio wants "someone who would be a slam dunk in the role," which presumably means that they are going for a top-of-the-A-list actor.
Phoenix has completed production on his second collaboration with director Paul Thomas Anderson, starring in an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice, which is expected to be released some time next year. In the meantime, the actor is currently considering starring in the new Gus Van Sant's movie Sea of Trees. For now, however, you should focus on trying to see Her, because - as I mention in my review - it's absolutely incredible.
What do you think about this potential news? Would you like to see Joaquin Phoenix as part of the Batman vs. Superman cast? Do you think he would be a good choice to play Lex Luthor? Answer our poll below and let us know what you're thinking in the comments section!
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