The cast for Matt Reeves‘ The Batman keeps getting even more exciting with each and every new casting announcement. The film, which is said to explore the Dark Knight’s formative years, will star Robert Pattinson as the titular hero, Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, Paul Dano as The Riddler, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon.

Now Colin Farrell is in talks to play another villain, The Penguin. Additionally, Andy Serkis is in talks to play Alfred Pennyworth. More on these stories below.

First up, Colin Farrell as Penguin. Deadline says that the actor is currently in talks with Warner Bros. to play the Gotham City mobster or a gentleman of crime. Should the deal close, he would be the latest villain to join the roster for this new cinematic take on Gotham City’s protector. In the past few years, the actor has appeared in a variety of films like Dumbo, Widows, The Lobster, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The Penguin is one of Batman’s top-tier adversaries, and has appeared in many different Batman-related media from comics to television to film. Often seen in fancy tuxedos and waddling, hence the arctic pseudonym, Penguin uses a high-tech umbrella as a tool or weapon.

As for Andy Serkis, sources tell The Wrap he is in talks to play Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne’s butler, closest confidant, friend, and medic. Should he sign on, it would reunite him with his Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes director Reeves. Throughout his career, Serkis has made a name for himself with his motion-capture work in films like the Planet of the Apes trilogy and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although, he also has been in live-action films like Avengers: Age of Ultron and Black Panther.

While the character has appeared in many different iterations of Batman-related media, Alfred is probably best known from when he was played by Michael Caine in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. So it should be interesting to see Serkis’s approach to the character. But don’t expect to see Serkis in a mo-cap suit.

While we don’t know much about the Batman story that Reeves wants to tell, we know from our previous reports that he wants to explore Batman’s formative years as a hero as well as make it a detective noir. The film would also feature a number of villains going up against the Dark Knight. But how it will be put together remains to be seen. It is also unclear if this Batman will fit into the new DC Extended Universe mold.

The Batman opens in theaters on June 25, 2021.

[Source: Deadline | The Wrap]