Did Jesse Eisenberg Almost Play the Riddler in Batman v Superman?

When it comes toBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, most critics loathJesse Eisenberg’s new take onLex Luthor. Though, the majority of fans haven’t spoken yet. And won’t until later today when the movie finally opens wide across the country. Some believe the actor would have been better suited for a completely different character. And it sounds like that may have originally been the idea. DirectorZack Snyderconfirmed recently thatJesse Eisenbergfirst auditioned for a smaller role. Now, new information has come to light that this other character was probablyThe Riddler.

ProducerCharles Rovenwon’t confirm whoJesse Eisenbergauditioned for. But he does admit that it was for a cameo role. It was recently revealed that the movie was supposed to include cameo roles from bothThe Jokerand The Riddler. And we all know who wound up in the role of The Joker, withJared Letoplaying the clown prince of crime inSuicide Squad. Here’s whatCharles Rovenhad to say aboutJesse Eisenberg’s original character reading, and why they eventually wound up casting him as Lex Luthor.

“We don’t want to talk about what the role was. But it was more like a cameo. But he was so good in the little thing that he did, it was really a conversation that we started to talk about. It would be great to contemproize Lex. Make him different from the Lexes that we’ve seen in the past. But still also make him believable. And we felt that Jesse was a good choice.”

Even thoughBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceis stacked to the brim withDC Comics characters, it wasZack Snyderthat confirmed both The Riddler and The Joker were supposed to be in the movie. And if you look close enough, you’ll see nods to both of these iconic villains in the finished film. About why the characters were eventually cut, the director had this to say.

“The JokerandThe Riddlerboth came close to being in this movie. We talked about the possibility of putting them in. [Screenwriter]Chris Terrioand I talked about it a lot and felt that their mythological presence is felt in the movie and that’s cool, but I didn’t want to get my eye too far off the ball because I needed to spend the time, frankly, withBatmanandSupermanto understand the conflict.”

So, wasJesse Eisenbergsupposed to cameo as The Riddler with the role to possibly expand in later films? It sure sounds like that’s the case. However, we are now stuck with the actor as Lex Luthor, which has a certain faction moaning quite loudly. It’s still possible thatJesse Eisenberg’s Lex may show up inSuicide Squad, which has long been rumored. But Roven is remaining mum on the case.

“I can’t discuss that with you.”

So, what do you think? Do you loveJesse Eisenbergas Lex Luthor? Or do you think he’s been horribly miscast? Would you have rather seen him play The Riddler? Well, won’t happen now. So, who do you think is the perfect successor to this character, last played on the big screen byJim Carreyin 1995’sBatman Foreverand currently played byCory Michael Smithon Fox’sGotham?