There are a few different ways that an actor can approach the media when he or she is part of a massive superhero movie franchise. They can be open, honest and upfront with journalists. (See: Hugh Jackman.) They can tactfully decline to answer pointed questions, out of concern for revealing spoilers. (See: Most of the well-coached Marvel alums.) Or they can gracefully dance around questions with wordy but completely empty answers, as Jesse Eisenberg brilliantly manages below.
The actor is being interviewed by Total Film (via ComicBookMovie) about his role in the movie Night Moves, but the journalist shot out a few questions about Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, where he will play the megalomaniacal villain Lex Luthor. So, did Jesse Eisenberg hit up the local comic shop and grab hundreds of old Superman books to prep for his part? Sort of. He says he watched "that movie with Gene Hackman," but largely confessed to a general lack of knowledge about comics or comic-book movies. When told that Heath Ledger actually reinvented The Joker with his downright-terrifying take for The Dark Knight, Eisenberg replied, "Oh, that’s interesting. Really interesting."
Maybe Jesse Eisenberg is all about what’s in the script, and on the page. That’s fine, too. When it comes to screenwriter Chris Terrio’s treatment of Lex Luthor, Eisenberg opened up and admitted:
We were able to discuss things at length and figure out who this person is to create a real psychology behind what is, perhaps, in a comic book, a less than totally modern psychology. I can only say I've been asked to play an interesting role: a complicated, challenging person."
Great. We’ll take that. Lex Luthor should be complicated and challenging, especially if he’s going to match wits and brute strength with the likes of Batman (Ben Affleck) and
[[ ah ref http://cinemablend.com/new/Watch-Superman-Brave-Multiple-Ice-Bucket-Challenges-Costume-66932.html ]] Superman (Henry Cavill). The characters in modern superhero storytelling, in fact, have matured, leading to the casting of Robert Redford, Michael Douglas, Tommy Lee Jones, Jeff Bridges, Gary Oldman and many other acting legends in supporting parts. And Eisenberg says that he realizes the depth and complexity of these films now that he’s been part of one, stating:
[[ ah ref http://cinemablend.com/new/Watch-Superman-Brave-Multiple-Ice-Bucket-Challenges-Costume-66932.html ]] I realize how popular comic-book movies are, and now, working on one, I realize why they're popular -- the story is really good, the dialogue is really good, the artistry behind every department is high, the acting is really good. So if they're all put together with that level of quality..."
[[ ah ref http://cinemablend.com/new/Watch-Superman-Brave-Multiple-Ice-Bucket-Challenges-Costume-66932.html ]]
Will Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice have that "level of quality?" We hope so. We’ll know more when it opens in theaters on March 25, 2016.
