UPDATE 10/24/2014 1:30 PM PT: Warner Bros. declined comment to CBR on the rumor of Jesse Eisenberg being targeted by the studio for a "Suicide Squad" appearance.
A new rumor reported by Deadline contends that Warner Bros. is in discussions with Jesse Eisenberg for "Batman v Superman's" version of Lex Luthor to appear in the upcoming "Suicide Squad" film.
In the DC Comics source material, Luthor has had dealings with the Suicide Squad before -- though not officially as a member. During the "Our Worlds at War" storyline, Luthor organized a Suicide Squad -- consisting of Chemo, Mongul, Plasmus, Shrapnel, Manchester Black and Steel -- to retrieve Doomsday from his prison on the moon to help join the battle against Imperiex.
Should Eisenberg appear as Luthor in "Suicide Squad," which is slated for a 2016 release, it could make for a very busy schedule for the actor. Eisenberg is already slated to reprise is role as Daniel Atlas in "Now You See Me 2," and fans are already hoping he would return for the rumored "Zombieland" sequel.
The details surrounding "Suicide Squad" are understandably hazy. The film was announced as part of DC's film slate through 2020 and confirmed to be directed by David Ayer, and while no actual casting descisions have been made, rumors about the cast have run rampant with names including Ryan Gosling, Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Tom Hardy all rumored to be considered. Should Eisenberg be cast, it would make for some real connective tissue between "Batman V Superman" and "Suicide Squad," reinforcing the idea that Warner Bros. and DC are hoping to build a bigger cinematic franchise.
"I can say that it's a 'Dirty Dozen' with supervillains," Ayer said of the film in October. "Then I can ask the question, 'Does a movie really need good guys?'"
CBR News has reached out to Warner Bros. for comment on the rumor.
"Suicide Squad" is scheduled for 2016 release.