Matt Reeves' The Batman is relaunching the Dark Knight on the big screen, and here's every character who is confirmed to appear. Batman has been part of Hollywood's trademark franchises for decades. Multiple actors have played the role before, with Ben Affleck most recently playing Batman in the DC Extended Universe. For some time, Affleck was attached to write, direct, produce, and star in The Batman, but he eventually exited the movie following the experience with Justice League. This resulted in Matt Reeves being hired to direct The Batman and eventually find a new, younger Bruce Wayne once Affleck officially left.
The Batman will be a semi-origin story for Gotham's caped crusader, with Robert Pattinson playing the lead role. Story details for The Batman confirm the movie follows Batman during his second year as a crime fighter, giving audiences another chance to see a version of the Dark Knight who is still learning the ropes. The movie will also put more of a focus on Batman's detective abilities to establish why he's known as the world's greatest detective. This story will take place outside of the main DCEU continuity, allowing Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson to reboot Batman in a brand new franchise.
With the start of a new franchise, The Batman has the ability and necessity to introduce a completely new set of characters. This includes allies of Batman, some classic villains from the comics, and much more. All of these characters can help The Batman build its own world and mythology around Pattinson's brooding hero. Here's a complete breakdown of every character confirmed for The Batman.
Bruce Wayne aka Batman
As a Batman solo movie, it should come as no surprise that The Batman features Bruce Wayne in the leading role. This Batman is in the early days of his crime-fighting career and has a lower-tech quality than more recent big-screen interpretations of the character. His Batcave is much smaller and less impressive than what was featured in the Dark Knight trilogy or Zack Snyder's DCEU movies. In his short time protecting Gotham, Batman has already established a working relationship with the GCPD. Robert Pattinson plays the titular role after spending years making unique independent movies and Tenet after his days with Twilight.
Alfred Pennyworth
A new movie Batman also means another version of his trusty butler Alfred Pennyworth. The Batman's Alfred is played by Andy Serkis, and his casting could signal somewhat of a change in the Alfred-Bruce dynamic. This new Alfred is much closer in age to Bruce, which could allow him to be more of a contemporary instead of an older man watching over the Wayne estate and its heir. Serkis has teased that The Batman will establish Alfred's past as a former SAS agent. This would fit with the movie's detective-driven story and allow Alfred and Bruce to work together throughout the film. Serkis joins the DC universe after a short stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and roles in the Lord of the Rings and Planet of the Apes franchises.
Jim Gordon
The Batman includes a brand new version of Jim Gordon, played by Jeffrey Wright. Unlike all previous versions of Gordon on the big screen, The Batman features the first Gordon to be portrayed as a Black man. Gordon is not the commissioner of the GCPD when the movie begins. He does appear to have a working relationship with Batman already, though, and has been shown investigating a crime scene with him. Wright is fresh off his role in HBO's Westworld and a few years removed from his involvement in the Hunger Games franchises.
Oswald Cobblepot aka The Penguin
Oswald Cobblepot is slated to appear in The Batman, with an unrecognizable Colin Farrell playing the DC villain. Better known as The Penguin in the comics, Cobblepot is not the high-level crime leader many expected him to be. Matt Reeves confirmed that Oswald isn't an experience mob boss when the movie takes place. He is known as The Penguin already but hates the name. This could be because The Batman's version of the character gets the nickname due to his face's scarring. Farrell joins the DC world after recent roles in The Gentlemen, Dumbo, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Selina Kyle aka Catwoman
Selina Kyle will appear in The Batman as well, with Zoë Kravitz playing the latest take on Catwoman. There isn't a lot of official information on Selina Kyle's role. The trailer teased her burglary activities and encountering Batman, but it isn't clear if they have a history in the movie. Catwoman and Batman have been enemies, allies, and even lovers in the comics. Her ties to Gotham's criminal underworld have also been teased by her being in the presence of some crime bosses in set photos. Kravitz joins The Batman after roles in High Fidelity, Big Little Lies, and the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
Edward Nashton aka Riddler
The main villain of The Batman is Edward Nashton aka The Riddler, played by Paul Dano. The movie's version of Riddler goes by his regular name and not the Edward Nygma name he gives himself. This take on the classic DC villain is much more grounded than past incarnations and has none of the usual markings for his comic look. Nashton's costume has military parallels, and his new killing spree in Gotham is meant to get Batman's attention. Dano joins the DC universe after memorable roles in Prisoners, There Will Be Blood, and Swiss Army Man.
Carmine Falcone
The Batman also includes a new take on Carmine Falcone, as played by John Turturro. The mafia crime lord is a central figure in Gotham's underworld and will serve a similar function in the movie. Falcone has a history with the Wayne family in the comics, as Thomas Wayne saved his life when Carmine was nearly killed during a gangster war. He becomes so powerful in Gotham that he can control what the mayor, GCPD, and other government individuals will or will not do. Turturro is best known for his work in Barton Fink and O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Gil Colson
Peter Sarsgaard will portray Gil Colson in The Batman. An original character for Reeves' movie, Colson is the District Attorney of Gotham City. Sarsgaard has teased that Colson has trouble telling the truth and is "a pretty distasteful person." The trailers for The Batman have linked Colson to Riddler in a surprising way, and his political reputation could be tied to his role in the movie. Sarsgaard previously played a DC villain in Green Lantern and appeared in films like The Magnificent Seven and Jarhead.
Stanley Merkel
The Batman features Barry Keoghan as a GCPD officer named Stanley Merkel. The character has a short history in DC Comics, where he was Jim Gordon's first partner. Merkel's time fighting crime alongside Gordon didn't last long. He was killed by the DC villain Hangman and left on Harvey Dent's property. Keoghan has previously appeared in Dunkirk and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and he also has a role in Marvel's Eternals.
Commissioner Pete Savage
Another new character created for The Batman is Pete Savage, played by Alex Ferns. He is the commissioner of the GCPD and its many officers, which includes Jim Gordon and Stanley Merkel. It is unknown if he is doing good with his position of power or if he's part of the corruption that continues to plague Gotham. Ferns has previously appeared in EastEnders, The Legend of Tarzan, and Chernobyl.
Bella Reál
Newcomer actress Jayme Lawson is slated to appear as Bella Reál in The Batman. The character is an original creation for the movie and is an aspiring political figure in Gotham. Reál is running for mayor in Gotham following the death of the previous mayor, Don Mitchell Jr., at the hands of Riddler. Lawson recently appeared in Farewell Amor and is set to play a young Michelle Obama in The First Lady.
