The Batman's Alfred Isn't a Father-Figure to Bruce, Says Andy Serkis

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Andy Serkis opens up about Alfred Pennyworth's role in The Batman, explaining he isn't much of a father-figure here. This week will finally see the release of the most anticipated DC film of the year: The Batman. Directed by Matt Reeves, the movie offers an updated, darker take on the iconic DC hero, now played by Robert Pattinson. The Batman was once slated for release in June 2021, but delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic led Warner Bros. to push it back a handful of times. Now, after well over a year of breathless anticipation, fans will finally get to see what Reeves has in store for Bruce Wayne.

 

The Batman takes place in Bruce's second year as Gotham's vigilante. His current challenge is the Riddler (Paul Dano), who has been murdering members of Gotham's elite as part of some twisted scheme. Bruce must call upon all his skills as a detective to get to the bottom of Riddler's plans, but his demons threaten to get in the way. The Batman features updated takes on several iconic DC characters, from the Penguin (Colin Farrell) to Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz). There are also some key allies on Bruce's side, like Serkis' Alfred Pennyworth. Of course, in following with everything else in The Batman, this Alfred is far from the refined, elderly butler fans know so well.

 

Speaking to Digital Spy ahead of The Batman's release, Serkis teased the new aspect of Alfred he got to explore in the movie. The Batman plays into Alfred's past as a soldier, and according to Serkis, that has cut into his ability to be a parent. He explained:

 

"He is an ex-soldier. He's worked for the secret service, but one thing he isn't, is a father or possess the emotional toolbox to be a father. That is really what's at the core of this telling of the tale of our version of their relationship and I'm thankful that it is a fresh view, really."

The Batman Andy Serkis Alfred

 

In previous Batman movies, Alfred has always been a caring father-figure to Bruce. The Batman promises to be a little different, even if Alfred still does care deeply for his tortured charge. Serkis has previously teased the vastly different relationship between Bruce and Alfred within The Batman, which is so chilly to the point where they aren't really speaking when the movie begins. It could be that Alfred's past experiences have tainted this bond, though Bruce's own refusal to care for himself likely doesn't help.

 

This is just one of the many ways Reeves has adjusted the well known characters of Gotham City to bring something new to The Batman. There have been numerous onscreen depictions of every character in the film, meaning the pressure is really on to offer a new twist to everyone involved. It so far sounds like Reeves and his team have managed to do just that, but fans will have the final say on how successful they are when The Batman arrives this week.

 

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