The Batman cast and DC comics character guide. It’s been 10 years since The Dark Knight Rises, the last solo movie starring the Caped Crusader. While the DC superhero has been a part of a larger narrative within the DC Extended Universe — via Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, and the upcoming The Flash movie — Matt Reeves’ The Batman paves a new path forward for the titular hero.
Set in the second year of Bruce Wayne’s time as the Dark Knight, The Batman challenges the title superhero as he goes up against The Riddler, a serial killer who is going after Gotham’s richest citizens. Batman, angry and disillusioned, struggles to catch him in this crime mystery that sees the Caped Crusader reflecting on whether or not he is not so different from the villain. The film hinges on Batman being a bit of an outsider who isn’t exactly welcomed by Gotham’s residents.
The Batman features plenty of familiar villains from the Caped Crusader's Rogues' gallery, including the Penguin, who hasn't had a live-action presence in a superhero movie since 1992's Batman Returns. Here is your guide to every character in The Batman, which actors portray them, and how they compare to their comic book counterparts.
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Unlike most other Batman movies (save for perhaps Batman Begins), The Batman depicts Bruce Wayne in his early days of crime-fighting. He’s still learning how to reel in his rage and trying to establish himself as a vigilante. Batman is perhaps more broody and, even as Bruce, less willing to mingle charismatically with the elite of Gotham. The character is portrayed by Robert Pattinson, who is best known for playing the vampire Edward Cullen in the Twilight movie franchise. The actor has also starred in The Lighthouse with Willem Dafoe, The Devil You Know, Tenet, and Good Time. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Pattinson portrayed Cedric Diggory.
Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
Selina Kyle is a nightclub waitress and thief — known as Catwoman — whose worldview differs from that of Batman’s, who sees good and bad without a hint of ambiguity. The pair work together, however, because they have similar desires to help others who are most affected and targeted by societal cruelty. The Batman portrays Catwoman as morally ambiguous like in the comics, with her relationship with the titular hero being central to the story. This version of Catwoman is portrayed by Zoë Kravitz, who is best known for her roles in Mad Max: Fury Road, X-Men: First Class, the HBO series Big Little Lies, Divergent, the Steven Soderbergh movie KIMI, Dope, High Fidelity, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Kravitz also voiced Catwoman in The Lego Batman Movie.
Paul Dano as Edward Nashton/Riddler
Edward Nashton/Riddler is a serial killer who goes after wealthy Gothamites and broadcasts his kills to the public. He’s been compared to the Zodiac Killer. The Riddler’s overall purpose is to show people the truth about Gotham by going after those who benefit the most from the system. In the comics, Riddler goes by Edward Nygma, but it makes sense to use his original name, Edward Nashton, as it’s the start of his rise as a criminal. However, he isn’t a serial killer in the way he is portrayed in the film, with most of his murders happening indirectly rather than as targeted attempts on specific people. In The Batman, Riddler is played by Paul Dano, who is best known for his roles in There Will Be Blood, 12 Years a Slave, Little Miss Sunshine, Okja, Looper, and Prisoners. He was also in the TV miniseries War & Peace.
Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon
Typically known as Commissioner Jim Gordon, the James Gordon in The Batman is a lieutenant in the Gotham City Police Department who investigates Riddler's clues and is on the scene following the murders he commits. Gordon is played by Jeffrey Wright, who is best known for his roles in HBO's Westworld, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Game Night, Boardwalk Empire, Source Code, and Daniel Craig's James Bond movies, including Casino Royale and No Time to Die.
John Turturro as Carmine Falcone
Carmine Falcone is a powerful Gotham City mob boss and an enemy of Batman. Falcone has been depicted in the TV series Gotham and Batman Begins. In The Batman, Carmine Falcone is portrayed by John Turturro, who is best known for roles in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Fading Gigolo, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, voicing Francesco Bernoulli in Cars 2, the Riz Ahmed- starring series The Night Of, and the Apple TV+ series Severance.
Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth is Bruce Wayne's butler and father figure, raising him following the deaths of Bruce's parents. In The Batman, however, Alfred and Bruce butt heads quite a bit, though Alfred remains Batman's most trusted confidante. Alfred is portrayed by Andy Serkis, who is an accomplished actor and director, having most recently helmed Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Serkis is most notable for his motion capture performances as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings movie franchise, as well as Caesar in The Rise of the Planet of the Apes and its sequels. He also voiced Snoke in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and played Ulysses Klaue in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Avengers: Age of Ultron and Black Panther.
Colin Farrell as Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot/Penguin
Oswald "Oz" Cobbelpot is a crime lord who is rising in the ranks. Since the film is set at the start of Batman's life as a vigilante, Oswald has yet to become the Penguin, the famous villain from DC Comics. He's ready to step into the limelight, though he doesn't play as large a role as the Riddler. Penguin is portrayed by Colin Farrell, who is best known for The Lobster, The Beguiled, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Widows, True Detective, Miami Vice, Alexander, and Saving Mr. Banks.
The Batman's Supporting Cast & Characters
Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson - Gil Colson is Gotham City's District Attorney who is not exactly the nicest of guys. Gil Colson is not a character from the comics. He's portrayed by Peter Sarsgaard, who is best known for Garden State, Jackie, Experimenter, The Lost Daughter, The Man in the Iron Mask, and Green Lantern.
Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál - Bella Reál is running against Don Mitchell Jr. for mayor and is seen throughout the film. Jayme Lawson is known for her role in Farewell Amor. The Batman marks her second feature film and she will next be seen alongside Viola Davis, who most recently played Amanda Waller in DC's Peacemaker, in The Woman King.
Barry Keoghan as Arkham prisoner - Barry Keoghan has a minor role as an Arkham prisoner. The actor was originally cast under the assumption he would play Merkel, a GCPD officer who works closely with Lieutenant Gordon. Keoghan is best known for his role as Druig in Eternals, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Dunkirk, The Green Knight, and the HBO series Chernobyl.
Alex Ferns as Commissioner Pete Savage - Pete Savage is the Gotham City Police Commissioner and Jim Gordon’s boss. Alex Ferns is known for his roles in the TV series EastEnders, Wrath of Man, and Netflix’s now-canceled The Irregulars.
Rupert Penry-Jones as Don Mitchell Jr. - Don Mitchell, Jr. is Gotham City’s mayor. Rupert Penry-Jones is known for The Strain, MI-5, Black Sails, and Match Point.
Gil Perez-Abraham as Officer Martinez - Officer Martinez is a cop who heavily dislikes Batman and wonders why Gordon works with him. Gil Perez-Abraham has appeared in Pose, Killer Among Us, and has guest starred in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Charlie and Max Carver as bouncers/henchmen - Charlie and Max Carver portray the Iceberg Club’s bouncers and the henchmen for Penguin who are always answering the door when Batman comes knocking. Max Carvers has been in Teen Wolf, The Leftovers, and Desperate Housewives. Charlie Carver is known for Ratched, The Leftovers, Desperate Housewives, and Teen Wolf, which is getting a movie.
Archie Mitchell as Mitchell’s son - In The Batman, Archie Mitchell plays Don Mitchell Jr.’s son. The actor has been in The Dig and Patrick the Pug.
