Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons Added to 'Man of Steel' Sequel

Courtesy Cheezburger.com
The star studded cast of Warner Brothers' "Batman vs. Superman" just got even better. Entertainment Weekly is reporting not one, but two new additional cast members for the project, with Jesse Eisenberg taking on the role of super-villain Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons as Alfred Penyworth.

Despite earlier rumors that Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") would be taking on Clark Kent, director Zack Snyder went with a less obvious choice by casting 30-year-old Eisenberg. In an interview, Snyder stated “Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940[...] What’s great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain. He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.”

When it comes to Bruce Wayne's longtime butler and confidante, Alfred Pennyworth, the casting choice of Jeremy Irons is a little less shocking. “As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure.  He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman. It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne,” Snyder commented.

While the casting of Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman caused many a nerd to rage-quit Snyder's now franchise, there is no denying that this film will be packed with some serious powerhouse actors. Between Affleck, Eisenberg and Irons there are three Oscar Award winning performances and a nomination. To put it simply, these guys are good.

The still untitled film is a sequel to "Man of Steel," and will star Henry Cavill. Originally, it was slated for a summer 2015 release, but as of now it has been pushed back to spring of 2016.

-Nowal Massari