Batman v Superman stars talk about the film’s reinvented characters
The titans of DC Comics will finally all meet on the big screen in next year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but a number of other high-profile characters from the pages of comics will also appear, and they’re aiming to make you rethink what you think you know about them.
Speaking with the Toronto Sun, Jeremy Irons, who plays Bruce Wayne’s trusted butler Alfred Pennyworth in the film, opened up about his version of the character and what makes him unique this time around.
“Zack Snyder, the director, wanted to create a completely different Alfred. So I felt I didn’t have to carry any baggage from previous ones. It’s sort of a reincarnation if you’d like. I had a feeling I was creating my own Alfred, more of a man who can actually do anything if he has to.”
In addition, Jesse Eisenberg, who will take on the role of megalomaniac Lex Luthor, spoke with Observer about playing this type of character, calling it the most advantageous role he’s ever been given.
“In a lot of ways Luthor is more of a stretch than any character you would do in an independent movie, which is normally the place you stretch. So in that way it was not at all compromised. If anything it was the best, most advantageous role I’ve ever been given….The opportunity to do an interesting character on a movie of that scale is incredibly rare.”
On a related note, President of DC Entertainment Diane Nelson spoke at Variety’s Entertainment and Technology Summit and offered a cautionary word about maintaining the future of superhero films.
“We do believe we’re in a period time where comics and superheroes are really the driving force within pop culture,” Nelson said, echoing director Zack Snyder’s sentiments from last week. “We have to be really sensitive to making sure were not creating any stories that don’t feel like they’re ready to be told… We have to make sure we’re getting the right story and the right content from the talent we work with. Ultimately we think if it’s a great story people will go out to see it.”
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice stars Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, with Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane returning from Man of Steel, and Holly Hunter in a role newly created for the film. Jason Momoa will also be making an appearance as Aquaman. The film is set to open worldwide on March 25, 2016.