Last week, there were some out-of-nowhere casting rumors about the Man of Steel sequel. And no, I’m not even talking about the WTF-ness of the Batman casting rumors. If you’ve seen Man of Steel, you have a pretty good idea of who the next villain will be – Lex Luthor! Superman messed up a bunch of Lex Luthor properties, so Ol’ Lex might be out for revenge. Which means that Man of Steel producers are not only looking for the perfect Bruce Wayne/Batman, they probably need to cast Lex too. And the name that has come up is… Bryan Cranston. Makes perfect sense. I could totally see it. Anyway, Cranston was asked about the rumors and here’s what he had to say:
Casting rumors for the “Man of Steel” sequel have ramped up online, with speculation swirling about who will play Batman and main Superman villain Lex Luthor. Given his career-defining run as the good man gone bad — with a shaved head, to boot — on “Breaking Bad,” it’s no surprise that Bryan Cranston is the main name popping up. So how does Cranston himself feel about the idea?
“Give me a call,” he says with a grin. And to hear Cranston tell it, he’s already given some thought as to getting into Luthor’s psyche. “I like Lex Luthor. I think he’s misunderstood. He’s a loveable, sweet man,” Cranston says.
Should he sign up for yet another iconic hairless villain though — the film is set for release in the summer of 2015 and would likely shoot next year — at least one person might not be so thrilled: his wife. “She wasn’t so keen on the bald head,” Cranston admits. “The bald head ages a man. It’s just that she didn’t know me that way, and the last six years it’s all of a sudden like sleeping with a stranger — who was less exciting than her own husband. So I don’t blame her for being upset.”
I don’t think Cranston looks OLDER while bald, but he definitely looks angrier and HARDER. Which would work for Lex Luthor.
The other side to this is that of course Bryan Cranston would be the perfect choice so why go with an actor who is so, so obvious? But I do think producers showed a streak of brilliance when they cast Michael Shannon as General Zod – Shannon is a well-known, well-respected and incredibly talented character actor and it was an inspired casting choice. Will we say the same thing about Bryan Cranston?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Yes awesome casting.
Bryan is too good for this sh*tty franchise. Same for Amy Adams. Dear Bryan, dont you dare go from Breaking Bad to this pandering mess. Major climb down.
I thought Amy Adams was the best part of that movie. While I do agree that it would be a climb down compared to Breaking Bad, they’re probably going to make Lex the next villain and I’d rather it go to an actor that wouldn’t phone it in.
Amy Adams was great in the movie but I’m going to be seriously pissed if they shove her aside in the sequel for more of this male centric BS.
I would love Cranston as Lex. I want Adams back and I want a clear focus on Lois and Clark and Lex and in the sequel.
I really could care less about Batman unless its Bale. He’s just in the way of the story I actually want to see.
There is potential here for a good franchise. They just need to focus more on their actors and less on blowing stuff up.
Amy Adams was great in the movie but I’m going to be seriously annoyed if they shove her aside in the sequel for all these men.
I would love Cranston as Lex. I want Adams back and I want a clear focus on Lois and Clark and Lex and in the sequel.
I really could care less about Batman unless its Bale. He’s just in the way of the story I actually want to see.
There is potential here for a good franchise. They just need to focus more on their actors and less on blowing stuff up.
Mark Strong all the way. He’s amazing – range, voice, look.
Sex Luthor! Handsome man.
Cranston is awesome, it would be a good choice.
yes! i would actually see it
I think he’d be a fantastic choice.
Yes, yes, and a big yes. Most actors who become famous for comedy on t.v. (Malcolm In the Middle)don’t transition well to other forms of acting. This man can do it all. And he seems to be great on roller skates to boot. Big fan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAzXKrMnNkk
Had to post this. After seeing the daft punk thing on Colbert I remembered he did the whole rollerblading thing on Malcolm… of course a stunt man is used too, but he did a good deal on his own.
YES!!!!
PS I didn’t like Shannon’s Zod at all. He was… boring!
Typecasting a bit! 😉 Seriously though while he would be good there are a half dozen guys who could do that role. The casting for Batman is the scary part.
Did you hear they apparently offered Bale somewhere between $50-60 million to come back?
I did hear that about Bale too. I don’t know if it’s true but I wouldn’t be surprised if it were.
I think Bryan Cranston is a terrific actor, I thought he was amusing on Malcolm in the Middle but Walter White has been a stroke of genius in writing and acting.
Cranston’s never been hotter as an actor, so I am not surprised he is willing to take on the advantages that comes his way. I think Lex Luthor might be a bit of typecasting but he’d do well in the role.
I have a weird crush on him and have no idea why. Maybe it’s the wearing of tighty whities….no, probably not.
And I still miss Malcom in the Middle.
I get it. I have a crush on real-life Bryan Cranston but I’m terrified of Walter White. The fact I can distinguish them so well speaks to how amazing he is on BB.
I can see it. It’s a bit predictable. I wouldn’t like to see the film but I’d watch it on TV if he was in it. I love this guy and I find it difficult to imagine him doing anything to put me off him.
I was a faithful viewer of Malcolm in the Middle because of Cranston’s depiction of Hal–he was so hilarious–just the way he moved cracked me up to no end. When my friend recommended “Breaking Bad” to us (5 years ago), I asked him who was in it, and he told me, “the dad from Malcolm in the Middle”. So I asked, “Oh, it’s a comedy?” “No”, he answered–“it’s about a chemistry teacher who decides to make meth.” I was very skeptical–I just didn’t think there was any way an actor could have such range, but I decided to give it a chance. I am so glad I did. Bryan Cranston is one of the most amazing, versatile actors I have ever had the joy of watching, and Breaking Bad is at the very tippy top of my favorite shows of all time. Cranston can do anything.
agree with everything here! He made “Malcolm” for me, best part of the show. And watching his transition from Walt to Heisenberg was just mesmerizing. (Im still only on season 3 of BB, which is awesome, so much left to watch!!)
Cranston is a great actor i would love to see it.
He’s brilliant, I’ll watch him in anything.
YES
luvluvluv him
loved him since the roller disco episode of malcolm, he can do anything
Like the idea. Shannon was great. I just think Cavill is the weakest link and I didn’t really think the movie was as good as everyone claimed. It was yet another decent blockbuster.
This is the best news I’ve heard about the Superman sequel in a long time.
I am completely obsessed with Cranston, so I will jump at the chance to see him in anything. This might be a bit obvious casting, but I think he is talented enough to take something cliche and turn it into something completely fresh and new.