You’ve gotta give it up for Jesse Eisenberg, star of “American Ultra.” He has managed to avoid pigeonholing himself into one type of career-defining role.
Since his coming out party in 2005’s “The Squid and the Whale,” here is a small sampling of what Eisenberg has done: a nerdy zombie hunter in “Zombieland,” the living embodiment of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network,” a magician bank robber in “Now You See Me,” and now a stoner/secret agent in “American Ultra.”
“Ultra” sees Eisenberg reconnecting with his “Adventureland” co-star Kristen Stewart (yes, THAT Kristen Stewart) in a very mainstream comedy that it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone like James Franco or Seth Rogen starring in. However, this time, instead of Stewart being the object of his unrequited affection, she is his bosom buddy. The two indeed even dress alike, with long hair, white t-shirts, and red flannel.
And somehow, though Eisenberg’s persona stays more or less constant–he is the brainy outcast who somehow finds success despite his social limitations–the filmography is nonetheless diverse.
And that next role? Oh yes, only Lex Luthor, perhaps the ultimate villain and the one man who is a match for the greatest of all heroes, Superman. I guess he CAN do just about anything.
