‘Batman Vs Superman’ Cast Rumors: Bryan Cranston Would Have Agreed To Play Lex Luthor But Warner Never Asked Him! Were There Other Options For The Villain Role?

The highly criticized choice of Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor has yet to subside. Was he the first choice for the role? The actor that was highly rumored to play Lex Luthor confessed that he was actually not offered at all.

Bryan Cranston, who lorded over the TV world as Walter White in "Breaking Bad," was rumored to play Lex Luthor in the sequel to the "Man Of Steel." It turned out to be wishful thinking. He has debunked the rumor numerous times, and it only came to a halt when Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Now You See Me) was finally confirmed for the part.

Fans who were disappointed with the casting might get more upset with Cranston's confession. The report from MLive quoted an interview with Cranston on "The Howard Stern Show" on SiriusXM satellite radio. According to Cranston, the role was never formally offered.

Cranston to Stern (transcribed by MLive): "In the minds of fans, it's true. In the minds of the hierarchy of Warner Brothers, it's not true."

The actor added that he never - to his knowledge - was ever considered for the Luthor role.

"I was not involved in any of that whatsoever."

Cranston's response to Stern's comment that playing Luthor would have been a great role for him: "Oh, oh, I would have welcomed it."

Cranston's response when Stern's colleague Robin Quivers asked if the job would've have been "a 20" (a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity): "That would've been a 20; I think so!"

Bryan Cranston would have said "yes" if he was actually offered Lex Luthor. But Warner did not make the call. Was he even considered for the role?

Perhaps not. Snyder had a very different Luthor in mind. We imagine Cranston as Luthor based on the past Superman movies. The previous actors who portrayed him-Gene Hackman and Kevin Spacey-Cranston would easily fit in with them.

However, the vision that Snyder has of Luthor was more of the 'Smallville' type, but not in the exact sense. Luthor was a childhood friend of Clark in the TV series and it is unknown whether they will follow that to the letter, but the age gap should be close. According to The Hollywood Reporter, they considered Adam Driver of "Girls" and Joaquin Phoenix but both of them passed.

The discussions will persist, but the verdict on Eisenberg will only be passed on May 6, 2016.