The Wrap has broken the news that Andy Serkis is in talks to portray butler and ex-spy Alfred Pennyworth in Matt Reeves‘ ‘The Batman’. There was chatter that Serkis was being considered back in June, but there was no real evidence, but it is true that Serkis worked with Reeves on the last two ‘Planet of the Apes’ pictures, so they already have a relationship.
Serkis is attached to direct another comic book movie, Sony’s ‘Venom 2’. Serkis is extremely proficient in working with motion-capture, which is reportedly why he was selected for this picture. He also co-starred in Marvel Studio’s ‘Black Panther’ as criminal Ulysses Klaue.
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‘The Batman’ already stars Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman/Selina Kyle, Paul Dano as The Riddler/Edward Nashton, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner James Gordon. Reeves wrote the screenplay himself. The film will also reportedly include appearances by Firefly, The Penguin, Two-Face, and possibly Robin/Dick Grayson.
Alfred is the subject of the EPIX TV series ‘Pennyworth’, which was just renewed for a second season. The show is set in the 1960s, and Jack Bannon plays a younger version of Alfred then we’re used to seeing. Just prior to that, Sean Pertwee portrayed Alfred on FOX’s ‘Gotham’.
Alfred was first brought to life on the classic ’60s series ‘Batman’, on which he was played by Alan Napier, who was not only Batman’s butler, but Batgirl’s confidant, and the only person who knew her secret identity. He was also elegantly voiced by Efrem Zimbalist Jr. on ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ and subsequent DC animated shows.
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Michael Gough portrayed Alfred in the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher films. Michael Caine assumed the role for Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, and Jeremy Irons assumed he role opposite Ben Affleck’s Batman for ‘BatmanV Superman’ and ‘Justice League’. Most recently, Douglas Hodge appeared in the role in the out-of-continuity film ‘Joker’.
Serkis is best known for playing Caesar in the ‘Planet of the Apes’ films, Gollum in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Hobbit’ movies, and Supreme Leader Snoke in the newest ‘Star Wars’ pictures.
What do you think of the cast of ‘The Batman’ so far?
