"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" will primarily follow the clash of the two titular superheroes but will also star several important side characters such as Bruce Wayne's (Ben Affleck) butler and care-taker, Alfred Pennyworth (Jeremy Irons). In a report from Toronto Sun, Irons discussed how his version of Alfred will be different from other versions of the character.
"Zack Snyder, the director, wanted to create a completely different Alfred," Irons explained. "So I felt I didn't have to carry any baggage from previous ones. It's sort of a reincarnation if you'd like. I had a feeling I was creating my own Alfred, more of a man who can actually do anything if he has to."
Unlike Batman, who has been portrayed by numerous actors through numerous movies, Alfred has been portrayed on the big screen by only two actors in the past 2 1/2 decades. The butler was previously played by Michael Caine in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy and by Michael Gough throughout the 1990s. This gives Irons more freedom in crafting a version of Alfred that is different from the two that came before him.
This version of Alfred will be more pro-active and may even be more physically capable, reports Cinema Blend. This will be a very different version compared to the Alfred portrayed in past "Batman" films.
However, a more physically capable Alfred who can fight and aid Batman when necessary has been seen in other media such as the "Batman Earth One" graphic novel, where he is a skilled martial artist and official head of security for the Wayne family, and in the cartoon series "Beware the Batman," where he is portrayed as a former MI-6 agent.
Irons' version of Alfred will be seen for several years to come as "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" marks just the beginning of the new Batman series in the DC Extended Universe. Warner Bros. Pictures is planning on developing solo Batman films, reportedly to be starred and directed by Affleck, and the character will star in the "Justice League" films.
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" opens in theaters on March 25, 2016.
