It is a whole new look for Jesse Eisenberg – bald and menacing – as he takes on the role of arch villain Lex Luthor in the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Eisenberg has played guys that were not too nice before, as when he played Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, but this role is pure evil.

Direct Zack Snyder says that this portrayal of Lex Luthor will not be like any of the Lexes that have gone before, except that he is still an corrupt billionaire. Who is bald, which required Eisenberg to shave his signature curls. The early pictures of the actor’s portrayal are intimidating, as he stares into the camera looking very little like the Eisenberg the world has come to know.

Snyder says that this Lex is “disarming,” and no fake, a villain who says what he believes and what is on his mind. Comic book fans will remember Luthor as Superman’s archenemy for most of his existence. He is a genius, who uses his intelligence for evil, rogue scientist in early versions, a super-smart industrialist and white-collar criminal in later iterations.

DC Comics says  Luthor was someone people looked up to and wanted to emulate, not realizing that his financial success was based on bribery, intimidation and murder, none of which was ever traced back to him. When Superman appears on the scene, Luthor is driven by hate-filled jealousy over what he sees as his stolen place as the savior of humanity, leading him to constantly try and destroy Superman.

The new movie starring Eisenberg as one of the world’s great bad guys is due out March 25, 2016.