Joaquin Phoenix up for Lex Luthor role in 'Batman vs. Superman' movie?

Names such as Denzel Washington, Idris Elba and Jason Momoa have been floated for the rule of Lex Luthor in the 2015 Batman vs. Superman movie, but a new name has emerged: Joaquin Phoenix.

Variety reports that Warner Bros. wants the Oscar-nominated Phoenix, who is already receiving high praise for his work in the Spike Jonze film Her (also a Warner Bros. film), for a role in the movie. The site reports that the process is in the very early stages and even if the studio does offer him a part, he may not accept it because he has eschewed big-budget films in the past several years in favor of smaller, more artsy works. On top of that, Phoenix is also reportedly still considering an offer for Gus Van Sant's movie Sea of Trees.

Sources could not confirm to Variety what the role would be, but the report states that it is likely the main villain, which is reportedly Superman's arch nemesis, Lex Luthor. Names including Momoa and Calvin Mulvey have been mentioned for the film, but the site reports that they would not play the main villain if the studio casts them because Warner Bros. has always wanted a major star to play the part.

Neither WB nor Phoenix's representatives commented to Variety.

In other news, The Hollywood Reporter notes that WB has tapped Chris Terrio, the writer for the Oscar-winning film Argo, to do some rewrites on the Batman vs. Superman script. Terrio of course worked with Ben Affleck, who has been cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the film, on Argo. David S. Goyer wrote the initial script.