Bryan Cranston begs fans to break free from the never-ending cycle of fan casting, urging for a fresh perspective. Throughout his career, Cranston has showcased his exceptional acting prowess, most notably with his captivating portrayal of Walter White in the acclaimed series Breaking Bad.
Given his remarkable performance, it is no surprise that countless fans fervently desire to witness Cranston embody their beloved characters. Amongst the DC fandom, the recurring suggestions revolve around Cranston taking on the roles of Commissioner Jim Gordon, Batman’s trusted ally, or mainly that of Lex Luthor, Superman’s archnemesis.
Bryan Cranston Calls Lex Luthor Fan Casting “Lazy”
In a conversation with Josh Horowitz, Cranston shared his thoughts on being fantastic as either Lex Luthor or Jim Gordon. Further elaborating, Cranston said, “Was it all just the laziness of fan casting that they either saw the great mustache or the bald head back in the Heisenberg days that you were always fancasted as Lex Luthor or Jim Gordon? Was there ever any real conversations about playing those live-action characters?”
Although Cranston had lent his voice to Jim Gordon in the animated film Batman: Year One, and his talent would undoubtedly shine in a live-action portrayal, he expressed his reservations about envisioning himself as Lex Luthor, deeming it a “lazy casting.”
“Not that I know of. I did Jim Gordon in the animated Batman thing. And that was fun. I think it was – I think you’re right, I think it was, like, lazy casting. There should be a, like, ‘lazycasting.com.’ And I was like ‘what is it?’ Because I had a bald head, they go ‘Ah! Lex Luthor!’ It’s like, come on. Let’s think about this a little bit.”
Cranston’s comment reminds us that casting decisions should involve careful consideration and intentional choices, moving beyond surface-level physical similarities. Moreover, it is essential to recognize that Cranston had shaved his head for the role of Heisenberg, and any capable actor who embodies the essence of Lex Luthor can undertake the same transformation.
Cranston also clarified that there had been no discussions with him regarding portraying either character in a live-action film. However, in a 2016 interview with EW, director Zack Snyder revealed that Cranston had crossed his mind while searching for an actor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Ultimately, Jesse Eisenberg was chosen for the role, though this brief consideration likely fueled the persistent dreams of fans desiring Cranston as Luthor.
