With Zack Sndyer gearing up for production on the hugely anticipated Man of Steel sequel, unofficially referred to as Batman vs. Superman, casting has been coming along very nicely in recent months.
In a welcome surprise move, the studio announced over the summer that Ben Affleck will be donning the cowl to become Batman in the upcoming movie, with Gal Gadot cast as Wonder Woman at the start of the month.
Now word comes via Variety that the studio is eyeing Joaquin Phoenix for a role in the film, and whilst the studio and Phoenix’s representatives aren’t commenting, it’s thought that he’s being eyed for the main antagonist, which is anticipated to be Lex Luther.
Phoenix is coming off the back of Spike Jonze’s acclaimed comedy-drama, Her. His performance in the movie has earned him praise left, right, and centre, recently announced as one of the nominees for Best Actor in the Comedy/Musical category at the Golden Globes, building momentum towards the Oscars.
Jonze’s latest film begins its limited release in the US today, before opening wide on January 10th in the US, and heading to the UK on 14th February. Following that, Phoenix will next be seen in Paul Thomas Anderson’s anticipated adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s Inherent Vice, and adding the Man of Steel sequel to his slate would make things all the more interesting.
The Batman vs. Superman movie would see him back in Warner Bros. territory, with the studio also distributing Her, and riding high on its praise in the height of the awards season.
Phoenix has notably been absent from more blockbuster fare in recent years, however, and his feelings on the role aren’t known if it is offered to him. He’s also thought to be weighing an offer to star in Gus Van Sant’s Sea of Trees, which would see him star opposite Ken Watanabe.
Snyder will be co-writing the story with David S. Goyer, with Goyer once more writing the script itself.
Batman vs. Superman is already set to land in cinemas on July 17th, 2015, so expect some more concrete casting news in the next few months.
