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Casting a fresh actor to play Superman on the grown covert is never easy , but the selection physical process was particularly difficult for Zack Snyder’sMan of Steel , because the moving picture was both uncharacteristically mettlesome for a Superman pic and design as the first installment in a Marvel - stylus interconnected cinematic creation establish around DC Comics characters .
When it was successful enough to launch such a existence , the next cast challenge was pick someone to act Supes ’ arch bane , Lex Luthor , inBatman v Superman . Henry Cavill and Jesse Eisenberg ended up landing the theatrical role , but they were n’t the producers ’ first choice .
Superman: Matt Bomer
The producer ’ first choice for the role of Clark Kent inMan of Steelwas Matt Bomer . He ’d antecedently voiced Superman in the animatedSuperman Unboundand went on to play Negative Man in the TV seriesDoom Patrol .
Bomer had auditioned to fiddle Superman inan unproduced pic write by J.J. Abramsback in 2002 , so the studio was intimate with him and cerebrate he was right for the part .
Lex Luthor: Tom Hanks
One of the most interesting behind - the - scenes detail fromBatman v Supermanis that Tom Hanks was considered for the role of Lex Luthor . This may have been when the script was very different , becauseBvS ’ Lex is written as a new , whiny brat .
Suffice to say , Batman v Supermanwould’ve been a very unlike movie if Hanks had played Lex . The actor might ’ve only been considered because the producers heard him say in an interview that he wanted to “ act the bad cat against Batman . ”
Superman: David Giuntoli
Before Henry Cavill was cast inMan of Steel , David Giuntoli did a screen trial for the part . He believe he lost out on the theatrical role because he was too brusque , as he ’s 5’11 ” and Superman is traditionally depict as being 6’3 ” .
Giuntoli is best acknowledge for asterisk as Detective Nick Burkhardt in NBC’sGrimm , and went on to come along inMichael Bay ’s true - to - life Benghazi thriller13 Hours .
Lex Luthor: Bradley Cooper
The producers ofBatman v Supermanconsidered Bradley Cooper to act their eldritch Silicon Valley interpretation of Lex Luthor . This would ’ve made Cooper one of the only actors in both the DCEU and the MCU , since he play Rocket in Marvel’sGuardians of the GalaxyandAvengersmovies .
While Cooper did n’t take the character of Lex , he did service as an executive producer on 2019’sJokerfor director Todd Phillips , with whom he ’d worked onThe Hangovertrilogy .
Superman: Joe Manganiello
Joe Manganiello met with Zack Snyder to hash out dally Superman inMan of Steel , but he ultimately could n’t take the part because the movie ’s shooting schedule clashed with that of his seriesTrue lineage .
Snyder finally gave Manganiello a different role in the DC Extended Universe , playing Slade Wilson ( a.k.a . Deathstroke ) in the post - credits scene ofJustice League .
Lex Luthor: Matt Damon
Despite do cameo appearances inDeadpool 2andThor : Ragnarok , Matt Damon has yet to bet a major purpose in a comic book picture show . He was turn over to play Mysterio inSpider - Man : Far From Home , but the part go to Jake Gyllenhaal .
Damon was also considered for the role of Lex Luthor inBatman v Superman . He would ’ve doubtlessly played the theatrical role very differently than Jesse Eisenberg did .
Superman: Armie Hammer
The producers ofMan of Steelconsidered Armie Hammer for the use of Clark Kent . Hammer is a magnetic role player with all the traditional physical qualities of Superman , so it makes sentiency that he was under consideration for the part .
FromThe Lone RangertoThe Man From U.N.C.L.E. , Hammer has struggled to set in motion franchise . Playing Superman would ’ve give his career a huge encouragement ( but also might ’ve prevented his liaison inCall Me By Your Name ) .
Lex Luthor: Adam Driver
Adam Driver is one of the finest actor working today , giving terrifying performances inMarriage Story , BlacKkKlansman , Paterson , Silence , While We ’re untried , and a crew of other late jewel . The producers ofBvSconsidered him to act Lex Luthor .
After beingburdened with all threeStar Warssequels , Driver kind of dodged a heater avoiding a major commitment to the trainwreck of the DCEU .
Superman: Zac Efron
Zac Efron was in brief considered for the role of Superman , although he ’s a few inches shorter than the character is commonly draw as . Efron has wangle to successfully shake hisHigh School Musicalimage without play a superhero .
The role player is a popular devotee puke for the role of the Human Torch inthe MCU ’s upcoming Fantastic Four reboot , so he could make for a comic record hero yet .
Lex Luthor: Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Phoenix was one of the actors considered to play Lex Luthor inBatman v Superman . Of course , he end up play one of DC Comics ’ other flagship villains , the Joker , in an R - rated standalone movie manoeuvre by Todd Phillips for which he get ahead an Oscar .
oddly enough , the way that the finally cast Jesse Eisenberg played Lex inBvSwas calleda pale imitation of Heath Ledger ’s Jokerby some critics .
NEXT:5 Directors Who Almost Helmed A Superman Movie ( & 5 Who Should )
