To date, the best work I’ve seen from Jesse Eisenberg was his performance in the lead role of The Social Network. There were glimpses of ruthlessness captured by David Fincher in that film which gives me hope for Eisenberg’s upcoming portrayal of Lex Luthor in the Superman Vs Batman film. While I haven’t seen all of his work, some roles probably lend themselves more to discovering what the young actor is capable of doing when it comes to the role of Lex Luthor.
Here’s a glimpse at his filmography, and any notes that I might have about the respective films:
Now You See Me
“Four magicians each answer a mysterious summons to an obscure address with secrets inside. A year later, they are the Four Horseman, big time stage illusionists who climax their sold out Las Vegas show with a bank apparently robbed for real. This puts agents Dylan Rhodes of the FBI and Alma Vargas of Interpol on the case to find out how they did it. However, this mystery proves difficult to solve even with the insights of the professional illusion exposer, Thaddeus Bradley. What follows is a bizarre investigation where nothing is what it seems with illusions, dark secrets and hidden agendas galore as all involved are reminded of a great truth in this puzzle: the closer you look, the less you see.”
Editorial Comments: Though I haven’t seen the film yet, the previews make it seem like Eisenberg’s character is a crafty guy who won’t let himself be ensnared by those who are trying to stop his pursuits. And he wears a suit in this role, instead of the typical Eisenberg “bum-around gear” he typically wears in other roles. Sounds like this film is a must-see if you’re trying to gauge whether or not he’s capable of being Superman’s nemesis.
The Double
“A comedy centered on a man who is driven insane by the appearance of his doppleganger.”
Night Moves
“A drama centered on three environmentalists who plot to blow up a dam.”
The Education of Charlie Banks
“College student Charlie Banks has to face old problems when the bully he had an unpleasant encounter with back in high school shows up on his campus.”
Holy Rollers
“Inspired by actual events in the late nineties when Hasidic Jews were recruited as mules to smuggle ecstasy from Europe into the United States.”
Editorial Comments: This one might have to be viewed cross-eyed to get the right perspective, but Eisenberg does play a criminal who has something of a cold exterior at points along the way and gets caught up in a world of money.
Camp Hell
“At the end of every summer, the children of a Christian community from a suburb of New Jersey attend Camp Hope. They travel deep into the woods far from any distractions the world provides. Here, the children are taught the ways of the Lord, the perils of the flesh, and the horror of the Devil. A charismatic priest leads them in their training. But, he unknowingly has brought something with him, something evil. What was supposed to be a safe place, a spiritual retreat has now turned into a nightmare that not even faith can end.”
Zombieland
“Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) doesn’t have fears. If he did, he’d kick their ever-living ass. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved survivors. But now, they’re about to stare down the most terrifying prospect of all: each other.”
Editorial Comments: This probably has very little to show in terms of aspects of a character Jesse Eisenberg might bring to Lex Luthor. Though part of Luthor’s hatred for Superman comes from fear, the billionaire villain likely approaches it in a much different way.
Less Likely To Be Relevant
“Set in the romantic city of Rome. The intertwining stories of a worker who wakes up to find himself a celebrity, an architect who takes a trip back to the street he lived on as a student, a young couple on their honeymoon, and a frustrated opera director who has a talent for discovering talented singers.”
Editorial Comments: This is more likely to be a prequel for Luthor’s character.
“Based on the true childhood experiences of Noah Baumbach and his brother, The Squid and the Whale tells the touching story of two young boys dealing with their parents divorce in Brooklyn in the 1980’s.”
Editorial Comments: This is more likely to be an even earlier prequel.
“In 1987, James Brennan’s dreams of a summer European tour before studying at an Ivy League school in New York City are ruined after his parents have a severe career setback. As a result, James must get a summer job to cover his upcoming expenses at the decrepit local amusement park, Adventureland, where he falls in love with a witty co-worker, Emily Lewin. In that bizarrely shady workplace, the young carnies have unforgettable and painful learning experiences about life, love and trust while James discovers what he truly values.”
Editorial Comments: This could perhaps fit somewhere in between the two aforementioned prequels.
“Two fledgling criminals kidnap a pizza delivery guy, strap a bomb to his chest, and advise him that he has mere hours to rob a bank or else…”
Editorial Comments: No one straps a bomb vest to Lex Luthor. That’s the type of thing HE has one of his henchmen do to someone else. And Lex Luthor doesn’t know what it means to be poor. Come on…
Note: Please forgive the Photoshopping attempt in the image to start the article.