‘It Actually Hurt My Career’: Jesse Eisenberg Gets Real About Batman V Superman Backlash, And How He Blamed Himself

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As a movie enthusiast with years of watching and analyzing films under my belt, I must say that Jesse Eisenberg’s career has been nothing short of fascinating to follow. His transformation from the nerdy, understated characters he once played to the cunning villain Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman was a bold move, one that didn’t quite pay off as planned.

For such a long time now, Jesse Eisenberg, the writer, director, and star, has been known for his unique understated humor that he’s brought to numerous films and TV shows. It’s possible that some people may not recall a period when he wasn’t yet gracing our screens with this distinctive charm. In 2025, we can look forward to the long-anticipated sequel of one of his successful franchises, as Now You See Me 3 is scheduled to captivate audiences once more. However, it’s not all smooth sailing for Eisenberg; he recently shared honest thoughts about his role in Batman v Superman, a big-budget movie where things didn’t quite turn out as planned for him.

What Did Jesse Eisenberg Say About Batman V Superman Hurting His Career?

The initial DC comic book movie series, kickstarted by the superhero films, didn’t quite meet Warner Bros.’ expectations in terms of performance. While Man of Steel generated a reasonable income, it received mixed reviews following its release, and the 2016 sequel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, unfortunately fell short both financially and critically compared to its predecessor.

Among the aspects of the film “BVS” that didn’t sit well with many viewers was Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Lex Luthor. In a conversation with the Armchair Expert podcast, he shared his belief that taking on that particular movie may have negatively impacted his career.

In a Batman film, my performance didn’t resonate well with the audience, and the movie itself was met with critical disapproval. Admittedly, this is something I haven’t spoken about before, but it’s somewhat humbling to acknowledge that my role in such a high-profile production may have had an impact on my career trajectory. I’ve been part of other underappreciated projects that never gained much attention, but this one was different because it was so widely publicized and I didn’t pay much attention to reviews or media coverage, so I was oblivious to the extent of its poor reception.

It might appear unusual that the star of Zombieland, despite not having any clue about how his portrayal as a big screen supervillain was received, or that the movie itself garnered less than favorable reviews. However, Eisenberg found himself in an exceptional situation during that period. He clarified that he had already made up his mind to leave Hollywood, feeling it would discard him soon, and decided to channel more of his efforts into his career as a playwright.

In a candid commentary, Jesse Eisenberg, who played Lex Luthor in ‘Batman v Superman’, gives straight-forward suggestions to Nicholas Hoult as he steps into the role. I can appreciate where he’s coming from.

After his mother-in-law fell ill, they found themselves spending a significant amount of time in Bloomington, Indiana, where she lived, to provide assistance. This absence from the movie business allowed him to stay detached and unfazed by the news about the reception of BVS for quite some duration.

After understanding the situation, he eventually realized that the negativity was harmful to his career, primarily due to the massive scale of the platform compared to smaller or less costly movies he was recognized for before. He went on to express that he held himself responsible for the film’s shortcomings.

In simpler terms, I really enjoyed my part and the entire movie experience. Since things didn’t turn out as planned, I can only blame myself, not others. It was disheartening, but I tend to have a negative outlook, thinking something like “Of course this fantastic opportunity didn’t work out.” This is just how I feel, even though it’s disappointing.

It’s clear that everyone involved in the production of BVS viewed it as a significant chance. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out as we had expected, but it’s pointless to single out any one person for blame. It might seem logical for the actor to take responsibility, given that he and his co-star from The Social Network, Andrew Garfield, both believed their performances may have doomed the movie. However, what truly matters is that Eisenberg managed to bounce back and is now experiencing a resurgence in his career.

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2024-12-18 20:38