Jesse Eisenberg is opening up about how winning a Razzie Award for his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice affected his Hollywood career, claiming the satirical honor made it harder for him to land roles in major studio films.
During a Screen Talk at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival, the actor reflected on the professional backlash he experienced after winning Worst Supporting Actor at the 2017 Golden Raspberry Awards. Eisenberg said the experience made him fear that Hollywood executives no longer wanted him in big-budget movies.
“I couldn’t get into movie studio parts anymore because I had won a Raspberry Award from [being in the] Batman movie,” Eisenberg explained, according to Variety.
The actor also described the entertainment industry as an unpredictable business where performers constantly worry about whether their careers are moving forward or losing momentum. He said his tendency to anticipate the worst made him recognize the potential consequences of the award early.
Jesse Eisenberg Turned Hollywood Rejection Into a New Creative Direction
Rather than allowing the setback to define his career, Eisenberg began exploring opportunities behind the camera. He explained that his decision to write and direct films partly came from a desire to keep his career moving when traditional studio opportunities appeared to be disappearing.
“So I was like, I’ve got to direct movies,” he said. “That’s why I started writing them, just to kind of keep my career afloat, really.”
The experience also changed how he viewed opportunities in the superhero genre. Eisenberg suggested that actors must pay attention to the signals they receive from the industry, even when those signals are discouraging.
He argued that performers who want long-term careers in entertainment need to recognize where they are welcomed rather than repeatedly pursuing opportunities that appear to be closed to them.
From Lex Luthor to Filmmaking
Eisenberg played Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and reprised the role in Justice League. Although the Razzie win became a source of professional anxiety, it did not end his career.
The actor has since expanded his work into filmmaking, directing three feature films while continuing to appear in major acting projects. He is also associated with Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, demonstrating that his career has continued beyond the superhero franchise.
His comments offer a candid look at the pressures actors face in Hollywood, where industry perceptions and critical reception can influence career opportunities. For Eisenberg, the experience ultimately pushed him to develop creative opportunities of his own rather than depend entirely on studio casting decisions.