Lex Loser?

Slimple · 06-01-2005, 05:13 AM

Greetings everyone. Long time lurker, first time poster.

If you can bear through a bit of reading (Come on, it's good for you), I'm hoping we can share some thoughts and careful discussions.

We're all assuming that the upcoming movie version of Lex, played by Kevin Spacey, will be the cold, calculating and corruptive businessman we've all come to know and love. But don't you think that is wishful thinking?
I'm worried that we may wind-up with the same Lex that has haunted our memories of the original films. Here's why:

1. We haven't heard a single word from anyone if LEXCORP will be in the film. As we all know, LEXCORP is the company, owned and founded by Lex, which pretty much built Metropolis. If LEXCORP is in the movie, I bet we can all expect a Lex who is favoured by the people of Metropolis, while he secretly operates behind the scenes to bring havoc to the world…all while under the protection of the very law Superman tries to uphold. If the company is NOT in the film…

2. Bryan Singer holds STM in very high regards, as he should, and he's bent on trying to recreate that magic for his movie. However, in every interview with Singer and Spacey I've read, whenever they start to talk about Lex Luthor they can't seem to compliment Gene Hackman's portrayal enough. Yes, the character in the comics was a different person back then…but even still, Gene played the character more like one of the villains they made-up on the old Adam West Batman show than a brilliant scientist. The character of Lex has changed since the seventies, every incarnation since the movie has shown a Lex that works! Bryan loves the old movies, as do I, but even Smallville has a better Lex Luthor than the movies.

3. Another concern of mine: Lex may have a yacht in the movie. So what? Lots of rich people have yachts…but who's saying Lex is the rightful owner of said yacht? They've got Noel Niell casted as a “Previously wealthy woman”. Previously? I'm worried what that could mean. Has Lex hijacked her yacht, stolen all her money (As opposed to operating a billion dollar company he built from the ground up) and now operates on the high seas, on international waters? If that's the case then that's just dumb...a situation like that would work better in a movie that wasn't about Superman.

4. Lastly, he's got Kal Penn and Parker Posey at his side-- As henchmen. First up, we have Stanford, played by Mr. Penn. I don't know much on the character, as bios seem to be up in the air. Some say he's a scientist…others say he's a street punk. That's kind of up in the air but if I had to choose between the two (And I'd rather have neither…Kal's funny and all but he looks too young to be hangin' with Mr. Luthor), I'd go for a scientist. Then we have Kitty. With a name like that, it's unlikely that she'll be Lex's personal bodyguard. My money is on secretary or mistress. Neither's very crucial to the character of Lex, or even the story. To avoid the possibility of another Ms. Tessmatcher, I say rename her character Mercy and be done with it

Those are my worries for the character of Lex. Whatever feedback or words of comfort you have are welcomed.

And just so you know where I'm coming from:
I am a huge Superman fan. I do like the old movies. I think Brandon certainly has the look of Supes and I'm eager to see what he can do. I don't have a problem with the suit (My reaction to first seeing it was 'Oh man, lots of people are going to hate this'), I cheered for joy when I heard Bryan, Dan and Mike were in charge of the movie. I think the Marlon Brando footage is a cool idea. I think the idea is interesting enough and I applaud them for trying their own story.

I'm just someone who's eager to see the movie and I think they're really trying to do somethings with this movie that have never been done before. I'm the biggest Supes fan in my circle of friends, and they all have a very narrow-minded and outdated impression on him. I hope this new movie can get them to see why Supes is such a cool character and how a regular human can be his greatest enemy.

Sorry for the long read.

The Wraith · 06-01-2005, 05:16 AM

Lexcorp is in the film, rest assured. The Lex here is largely the Byrne-era Luthor from the comics. There's no camp in this film.

Slimple · 06-01-2005, 05:19 AM

Is it?

Oh...

Well then...I guess confirmation is enough proof for me...

Man, looking back on that post it looks like I was about to start hyperventalating.

**Iris** · 06-01-2005, 05:20 AM

Lexcorp's in the film? That's news to me...

Singer describes Luthor as a 'creepy entrepreneur.' Make of that what you will.

The Wraith · 06-01-2005, 05:23 AM

Lexcorp is there.

Slimple · 06-01-2005, 05:24 AM

It had a question mark...what made you think it wasn't something in your defense?

The Wraith · 06-01-2005, 05:25 AM

She was asking me, and I was answering.

The Sage · 06-01-2005, 05:25 AM

Creepy entrepreneur...wouldn't the entrepreneur part mean he runs his own business? That would mean LexCorp wouldn't it?

In any case, we don't know anything about Lex, except that Spacey is playing him.

Oh, when was it confirmed Lex was based on Byrne? Nothing about his characterisation has been made public to my knowledge.

AddisAbaba · 06-01-2005, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wraith

Lexcorp is there.

Um, I have heard and or seen nothing to indicate this. on the contrary in fact.

You would think that some of the Metropolis set pieces seen at the Sydeny shoot would bear something if Lexcorp was a major player in the city

That said I sincerely hope so. A credible threat is required. Especially since Batman Begins has just raised the bar...

pegasus · 06-01-2005, 05:44 AM

Kevin Spacey is the only actor that I have reservations with in this movie. Sure, some say hes a distinguished actor, but I just never could like the guy.

I sure hope Bryan knows what he is doing.

superman4ever · 06-01-2005, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batgirl

Lexcorp's in the film? That's news to me...

Singer describes Luthor as a 'creepy entrepreneur.' Make of that what you will.

I'm going to assume that Lexcorp is there. After Clark's return isn't he suppose to be shocked at the state of the city (and the world) and that Lex is all powerful now? Am I wrong? I could have sworn I read that somewhere! I've been searching but I can't find it anywhere...Bryan or Dan said it.

Something along the lines that Superman returns to a world in turmoil, and that Metropolis is in the hands of Lex Luthor, and that somehow the city of tomorrow adores and trusts him!

And Lexcorp doesn't necessary have to be a big building in the sky, well, at least for now anyways! Cunning entrepreneur could mean that he’s a great business man that’s on his way up in the world domain....just not Wayne/Bill Gates status just yet.

Slimple · 06-01-2005, 05:52 AM

An old synopsys said that Lex has risen to a seat of power in Metropolis...but the official synopsys from WB of the film only says that an old enemy wants to render him powerless forever.

Dang...being kept in suspense is one thing but there are somethings that should be known!

AddisAbaba · 06-01-2005, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pegasus

Kevin Spacey is the only actor that I have reservations with in this movie. Sure, some say hes a distinguished actor, but I just never could like the guy.

I sure hope Bryan knows what he is doing.

Are you kidding?

They don't just give Oscars away you know...and he won his under Bryan's direction!

Kevin Spacey has been the number one pick for Luthor since time immemorial... the one casting choice I have 200% faith in.

Was a casting coup actually, I think they offerred him a substantial amount of $$$ for the role.

Could've got Billy Zane for less....

AddisAbaba · 06-01-2005, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slimple

An old synopsys said that Lex has risen to a seat of power in Metropolis...but the official synopsys from WB of the film only says that an old enemy wants to render him powerless forever.

Dang...being kept in suspense is one thing but there are somethings that should be known!

Old synopsis?

Official or not?

LINK!!!???

StarvingArtist · 06-01-2005, 05:56 AM

While nobody knows for sure if Lexcorp will be featured in the movie nor a campless luthor, I think that arguments could be put fourth either way. Yes, Sean Penn is playing a henchman, however I've heard that he is trying to move away from the wacky types of rolls. As for Parker Posey, I don't think her name is enoug grounds to form any kind of judgement for what her character is about. She's actually a lethal assasin in the movie and they want to throw a little irony in there by calling her kitty. The point is, don't hyperventalate until you hear something tangible