For a while now, we've been hearing rumors about Jimmy Olsen appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Many speculated that Scoot McNairy is playing the Superman buddy and ace Daily Planet photographer. But is he really playing the character? If not, is the character in the movie? Zack Snyder has revealed the truth! Here's the "˜SPOILERS AHEAD' warning for the following content!
Those who've watched Batman v Superman already know that McNairy isn't playing Jimmy Olsen. He's got a different character. And you could very well claim that the character isn't in the movie at all. But that's not the truth!
While speaking to EW, the director confirms that the character is indeed in the movie! The O.C. star Michael Cassidy plays Jimmy Olsen. His version of the character is a CIA agent who is undercover as a photographer with the Daily Planet. He accompanies Lois Lane to Africa on a daring mission to interview a warlord of the region. However, his secret identity is soon revealed, and he gets shot in the head in front of Amy Adams' character. And all of this happens very early in Batman v Superman.
Jimmy Olsen has been appearing as a supporting character in Superman comics ever since 1941 - so, is it fair to kill the character so early in the movie? Fair or not, it's definitely a controversial decision. Here's what Zack Snyder has to say about it:
We just did it as this little aside because we had been tracking where we thought the movies were gonna go, and we don't have room for Jimmy Olsen in our big pantheon of characters, but we can have fun with him, right?
Jimmy Olsen reveals himself in the Batman v Superman Ultimate Edition!
Jimmy Olsen reveals his identity in the Batman v Superman Ultimate Edition! (Photo Credit – DC Comics)
Even though the theatrical version of Batman v Superman doesn't allow Jimmy Olsen to introduce himself, he definitely has that opportunity in the movie's Ultimate Edition. Zack Snyder confirms:
He comes up to her and he goes, “Lois Lane, I'm Jimmy Olsen, photographer, obviously "¦You know, I've been assigned to you for this mission.” But it turns out that Jimmy Olsen is a spook for the CIA.
According to Amazon, the Batman v Superman Blu-Ray Combo Pack - which features both the R-rated Ultimate Edition and the PG-13 theatrical version - will release this July 16.
Jesse Eisenberg was almost cast as Jimmy Olsen in Batman v Superman!
Jesse Eisenberg was originally offered the Jimmy Olsen role! (Photo Credit – DC Comics)
While we had been speculating that Jesse Eisenberg was originally considered to play The Riddler, Snyder confirms that we were totally wrong! The actor was originally offered the role of Jimmy Olsen! The director explains:
I thought, if it were Jesse Eisenberg, and he got out and he goes, “I'm Jimmy Olsen”, you'd be like, oh my God, we're gonna have Jimmy Olsen in the whole movie, right?” And then, if he got shot, you'd just be like, “What!? You can't do that.”
And the rest is what we all already know! Snyder and his team eventually changed their minds, and offered Jesse the role of Lex Luthor.
Bryan Cranston was up for Lex Luthor role in Batman v Superman!
Bryan Cranston was up for Lex Luthor role in Batman v Superman! (Photo Credit – Flickr)
If Jesse Eisenberg were suddenly signed for the role of Lex Luthor, who may have been initially considered for the supervillain's role? Did they ever consider fan-favorite contender Bryan Cranston? They did! Snyder says:
We talked about the usual suspects that you would imagine; any actor who has been bald, probably. Bryan Cranston would have been great, right? And by the way, he's an amazing actor. Can you imagine how different the movie would be?
Are you happy with what eventually happened with the roles of Jimmy Olsen and Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? Share via comments!
