Bryan Cranston Denies Lex Luthor Rumors

The Internet echo chamber spread like wildfire an unsourced story about Bryan Cranston being confirmed as Lex Luthor in the Man of Steel sequel. It was one of those stories that I only posted because so many emails had been sent to me asking why we weren't reporting it. So I did, and gave it the amount of snark and skepticism it so richly deserved. Those same sites that ran with the false story have since backtracked, but to throw a little more salt in the wound, Cranston recently spoke to Boston.com and shoots the rumor down once and for all.

For those who don't recall, one of the added details in the piece was that Cranston had signed for a total of six movies, making him an integral part of Warner Bros. superhero plans. Not that Cranston has heard of any of this...

Cranston: “Six? This is all news to me. I think that maybe my name is bandied about because I’m known to be bald. ‘What bald guy can we get?’ The reality is they can take any actor and shave his head or put a bald cap on him.” 

Of course, he could be pulling our legs, and technically he doesn't really deny anything but the six-picture deal, but he does seem to be writing himself out of the story. Assuming Cranston is indeed out, the only other option that has been put out there is Mark Strong, who recently hinted he may have an edge on the role.

We'll see what happens. Man of Steel 2, Superman vs. Batman, or whatever it will be titled is expected to open on July 17th 2015.