In all the kerfuffle that surrounds (re)casting the whole DC lineup, it’s easy to lose track of the little people. The Jim Gordons and Perry Whites and the, er— Anyway, these folks matter: they’re the ones who come through for Superman in the crunch, who lay down their lives to give Batman the precious minutes he needs to save the city. It’s easy to overlook the help and perhaps no more in evidence is this than in the case of Batman’s, well… Batman.
Alfred Pennyworth, the Wayne family’s loyal servant, is far more than just a butler. Friends and companions have come and gone (and Robins, lots of Robins), but Alfred remains the one rock of Bruce’s life. Not only does he clean up the numerous messes presumably left by his playboy lifestyle, and manage it with dignity and panache, but he raised “Master Bruce” after his parents died and has laid his life on the line for him on numerous occasions.
Until recently played exclusively by Michael Gough – the one long line connecting the Burton films to the Schumachers, four films, from 1989 to 1997 – the role was taken over in the Nolan trilogy by renowned thesp Michael Caine (whose name you can’t help but hear in his voice, much as with Morgan Freeman). Now that we’ve said goodbye to Bale’s Batman, we suppose we must do the same with Caine’s stiff-lipped but compassionate Alfred.
Already there are potential Alfreds emerging from the throng, with former Bond Timothy Dalton emerging as Snyder’s preferred choice. Nevertheless, Alfred is one of those characters that any male British actor over a certain age and with a certain gravitas must be in with a shot at playing. He is, as I’ve said, a lynchpin of the franchise. As such, here’s a comprehensive list, BuzzFeed style, of everyone we’d consider for the role along with a particular few favorites.
Bill Nighy
This thin-faced, strangely impassive individual is nothing less than a British institution. Another late starter – Bill Nighy appeared in his first film at age 34 – his appearance in Love Actually as over-the-hill rocker Billy Mack may have won him the nation’s hearts (and a Best Supporting BAFTA to boot), but it’s Nighy’s relaxed sense of authority that most intrigues. Offbeat and quirky, Nighy would certainly be a hugely entertaining choice to haunt the halls of Wayne Manor
John Cleese
The first actor on this list to come from sketch show Monty Python, John Cleese is one of the most famous British comedians ever to have lived. Renowned for his slapstick, which featured prominently in Fawlty Towers, it’s believable that Cleese would make for a bombastic, somewhat sterner Alfred and could provide some much-needed comic relief in a sequel to the deadly serious Man of Steel.
Terence Stamp
Already a titan in the DC universe, Terence Stamp’s tyrannical Zod has captured the imagination of generations of cinema-goers. A weathered, intimidating Londoner, Stamp has played tough guys (in The Limey) and authority figures aplenty (he voiced Jor-El throughout the run of Smallville); Alfred would provide him the chance to take it down a notch. With his hollow cheeks and electric blue eyes, Stamp could carry off the role with a minimum of screen time.
Anthony Stewart Head
As the stuffy but good-humored Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anthony Stewart Head may seem, on the face of it, almost a too obvious choice for the very English Alfred. Still, craggily handsome (and a veteran of the stage show Rocky Horror), Head would certainly make for a reassuring presence in Snyder’s DC-verse. As the morally ambivalent Uther Pendragon on Merlin and now outright villain Paracelsus in Warehouse 13, Head, I believe, has untouched dramatic depths, and, after 35 years in television, deserves a chance to prove himself on the big screen.
Christopher Plummer
Now a charming, genteel octogenarian, Christopher Plummer was a charming, genteel 36-year old when he sprung to fame as Captain Ludwig Von Trapp, father of the Von Trapp family, in beloved musical The Sound of Music. Constantly active over the course of the last half a century, in 2012 he became the oldest ever person to win an Academy Award for his appearance as a gay widower in Beginners (alongside Ewan McGregor). With an air of public schoolboy to him, despite his Canadian background, Plummer could make for a plummy Alfred.
Liam Cunningham
Though best known as Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Irish actor Liam Cunningham won a Best Supporting IFTA (Irish Film and Television Award) for his role in Steve McQueen’s Hunger back in 2008 – the film that also served to bring the young Magneto himself, Michael Fassbender, to prominence. Given prior form, we could see Cunningham making for a more earnest working-class Alfred, a valet who’s not afraid to speak his mind and sees it as his duty to stop Bruce from making rash decisions (as Caine once did).
Next up, Part 2:
David Suchet
Yet another highly lauded British actor, David Suchet has found himself typecast as his most famous role, that of fussy Belgium detective Hercule Poirot. Since he first took up the role in 1989, he has appeared in adaptations of almost all of Agatha Christie’s stories to feature the character, also winning an International Emmy in 2007. A definite character actor, Suchet could certainly providing a low-key take on the character, a more fastidious, still compassionate Alfred.
John Lithgow
A more unusual choice, perhaps, but John Lithgow is a towering presence in film and television, literally and otherwise, with two Oscar nominations and five Emmys to his name. An immensely versatile actor, Lithgow has played characters ranging from wacky aliens (Third Rock from the Sun) to a menacing serial killer (Dexter). Though an American, Lithgow is certainly capable of the wry self-effacement and could certainly bring something different to the role. At 6’4” in height, though, he would look like he could still give Ben Affleck’s Caped Crusader a spanking.
Peter Capaldi
It might have been his role as foul-mouthed spin-doctor Malcolm Tucker that catapulted him to international recognition, but Peter Capaldi has been turning in remarkable performances since he first appeared in Local Hero back in 1983. In recent years, Capaldi has been a veteran of British TV in shows such as Torchwood and Doctor Who, in the latter of which he has just been cast as the Twelfth Doctor. This particular commitment may taking him out of the running, but an intense, downbeat Scottish Alfred would certainly be an intriguing interpretation.
Michael Palin
Another member of seminal comedy troupe, Monty Python, and widely regarded as the nicest man in the world, Michael Palin is also a renowned travel writer and BAFTA fellow (the highest honor the organization can bestow). A BAFTA winner himself in A Fish Called Wanda – in which he played a stuttering pet lover – he also featured in Terry Gilliam’s brilliantly inventive Brazil. It’s easy to imagine Palin as a cheerily rumpled Alfred, ever ready with a pot of tea or a sympathetic ear.
John Hurt
One of the older actors on his list, John Hurt is also once of the most prolific: from A Man For All Seasons to Watership Down, 10 Rillington Place, Midnight Express, through Alien, The Elephant Man, and 1984. Perennially rumpled and careworn, he has two Academy Award nominations to his name, and, with his rich, crackly voice, there’s no doubt he could bring some impressive depth to the character of Alfred. Quite physically frail, though, he might not be up for the pressures of butlerdom, or, indeed, a quarter billion dollar film.
Harrison Ford
After you’ve been both Indiana Jones and Han Solo, there’s not much ground left to cover in terms of blockbusters. Failing a role in the next James Bond, about the only franchise stepping stone Harrison Ford has left to leap is the superhero movie. His persona as a loveable rogue defined his early career and this has matured over the last decade or so to make Ford one of contemporary cinema’s great curmudgeons. The part of The Bat may have slipped beyond his reach, but Ford could still get his grump-on as Bruce’s beloved retainer.
Time for Part 3!
Derek Jacobi
Another renowned stage presence, (Sir) Derek Jacobi recently came to the attention of the younger generation with his appearance in Doctor Who episode “Utopia” as an elder incarnation of The Doctor’s nemesis, The Master. Unusually gentle and empathetic, as he demonstrated in his breakout role in I, Claudius (which won him a BAFTA), Jacobi could make for a softer, more rundown Alfred, someone who’s had his demons, who’s faced his trials and tribulations, but is still guided by an overwhelming love for his ward.
Ciaran Hinds
From Caesar to Mance Rayder, there’s something about Ciaran Hinds that just draws you in. Irish, and with an air of gravitas and steely authority, he’s made a career out of playing priests and kings. Another component of the Harry Potter films, he’s one of those recognizable British character actors who manages to have a positive impact on everything he’s in. Hinds would certainly make for gruff, engaging Alfred, though he might not possess the rapier with the character demands.
Jonathan Pryce
Another valuable bit player in major Hollywood franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean and G.I Joe, Jonathan Pryce has done it all: from starring in Terry Gilliam’s Brazil to playing a Bond villain in Tomorrow Never Dies, big-screen musical adaptations (Evita) and Olivier-winning Shakespeare (Hamlet). Mercurial yet peculiarly weighty, Pryce’s Alfred could be unobtrusive, entering with a tray before stepping back into the shadows, alluring, intriguing, and quietly impressive.
Tim Curry
Definitely a cult figure, Tim Curry has made a name for himself in outrageous and terrifying roles, from hyper-sexualized Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show to demonic clown Pennywise in Steven King miniseries It. While this outlandish, larger-than-life figure might not seem an ideal candidate for a demure valet, Curry is nevertheless wonderfully expressive and, suffice to say, now approaching 70, he’s mellowed somewhat. Having played a butler in Clue – albeit a faux, comedy one – his Alfred could prove well a masterly portrait of self-restraint.
Sam Neill
Unassuming and boyish even at 65, New Zealander Sam Neill is best known for playing quiet, reflective characters in films that are anything but: he played a Russian sea captain in Hunt for Red October and, most memorably, paleontologist Alan Grant amidst the rampaging dinos of the first Jurassic Park. Not British enough, you say? Well, believe it or not, Neill was shortlisted to play Bond back in 1987, losing out to, of all people, none other than Timothy Dalton. About time he got his revenge.
Ian McShane
His Emmy-winning role as the combative Al Swearengen in HBO’s Deadwood may have ruled him out for many people, but, for many years, Ian McShane was Lovejoy, a cheeky East Anglia-based antiques dealer. While recent appearances may have been more reflective of his Swearengen persona, such as a sadistic Santa Claus in Season Two of American Horror Story, McShane has the class and could bring an enlivening streak of soulful darkness to Bruce Wayne’s manservant.
And onto Part 4.
Hugh Laurie
Another high-profile TV figure, Hugh Laurie was the reigning king on the box for eight years as maverick physician Gregory House. Arrogant, abrasive, and unpredictable, it was something, however, of a reinvention from his breakout role as amiable buffoon Jeeves in Jeeves and Wooster. While his costar, Stephen Fry, may be too large a personality for this list, it’s believable that six-time Emmy nominee Laurie could subsume himself in the part of Bruce’s droll attaché. If nothing else, his Alfred would be eminently watchable.
David Bowie
Thinking outside the box, David Bowie may have achieved legendary status as a gender-bending glam rocker, but, as his musical career encapsulates, he’s shown nothing if not the capacity for reinvention. Kicking off his acting career as the otherworldly lead in The Man Who Fell to Earth, Bowie also captured the eccentric brilliance of Nikola Tesla in The Prestige. A lean, pencil-mustached Bowie could do wonderful things with Alfred, the danger being, of course, that his inherent magnetism might distract from Affleck’s jawline.
Michael Keaton
Perhaps the most unlikely figure on this list, Michael Keaton’s tenure as the Dark Knight helped to bring the character out of the campy Adam West era and closer to Nolan’s gritty take. Gothic and quirky, Keaton has sort of dropped off the radar in recent years, despite a supporting role in The Other Guys and plenty of voice work. Having never quite hit the big time again – though his antagonistic role in the upcoming Robocop remake looks promising – DC could honor its debt of gratitude to him by casting him as Bruce Wayne’s older compatriot, as well as being a nice wink to the fans.
Donald Sumpter
Donald Sumpter began his career in 1968 in Doctor Who episode “The Wheel in Space” and hasn’t been off our screens since then. As Maester Luwin in Game of Thrones, Sumpter showed a quietness and resolve that immediately suggest him for the part of Alfred. Skinny and bald-headed, almost bird-like, Sumpter is almost a diminutive figure, but his world-weary doggedness seizes upon something vital to the character: for all he endures, Alfred is shrewd and he never gives up.
Charles Dance
Another great British thesp who’s gained something of a profile in recent years, Charles Dance is currently appearing as the witheringly supercilious head of the Lannister clan, Tywin, in Game of Thrones. Dance has a long and storied history of playing villains, like the cartoonishly evil hitman Benedict in Schwarzenegger’s Last Action Hero. Previous incarnations of Alfred have tended more towards cuddly, but Charles Dance could be just the man to give Affleck’s Bruce a boot up the backside when he’s feeling down.
Christopher Lloyd
Another addition to the perhaps underrepresented Yankee contingent on this list – hey, the last Batman was Welsh – Christopher Lloyd is one of those actors who seems to have been old forever. His role as shorn-headed, unruly mental patient in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, all the way back in 1975, set a precedent for the general craziness to follow. As the demented Uncle Fester and crackpot inventor Doc Brown, Lloyd achieved a mad uncle vibe that, if transferred over to Alfred Pennyworth, could really serve to brighten up the film.
Approaching the end with Part 5…
Simon Callow
Yet another stage actor, Simon Callow has made himself a reputation as something of a luvvie in roles such as Charles Dickens in Doctor Who, and, perhaps most famously, Gareth in Richard Curtis’ Four Weddings and a Funeral (for which he was BAFTA nominated). Expressing a perfect combination of warmth and exasperation, it’s not difficult to imagine Callow as Bruce’s faithful retainer, grumbling away petulantly after years of mess and mayhem.
Ralph Fiennes
Another, perhaps, not quite intuitive pick for Bruce’s (ostensibly) non-threatening butler, Ralph Fiennes is one of the most critically acclaimed actors on his list. From the time he first arrived in the public consciousness with his harrowing portrayal of Nazi Commandant Amon Goeth in Schindler’s List, Fiennes has been scarcely out of the limelight. From Voldemort in Harry Potter (yes, again) to decent bureaucrat Mallory in Skyfall, his range is undeniable and, most pressingly, he was the very picture of English manners as John Steed in The Avengers (no, the first and terrible one, not the Marvel one). In-keeping with the character, they even gave him a bowler hat and umbrella.
Jeremy Irons
Another strong candidate, Jeremy Irons is a study in contrast, capable of chilling stillness and boundless exuberance in equal measure, as vengeful terrorist Simon Gruber in Die Hard With a Vengeance or The Pope himself in The Borgias. Also equally at home in film and TV, he’s racked up every award there’s going – Oscar, Emmy, Tony. His voice, cultured and nuanced, is immediately identifiable: even if Alfred weren’t to be an onscreen presence in the new film, Irons could carry it off over the Batmobile intercom. After all, he was Scar in The Lion King.
Daniel Day Lewis
And topping the category in wishful thinking… Daniel Day Lewis is the performer’s performer: king of the method, he has more Academy Awards for Best Actor than anyone else in history (three, if you were wondering). Burying himself in ferocious, barnstorming performances in the likes of Gangs of New York and There Will Be Blood, Day Lewis’ sensitive side has surfaced in the form of the softly spoken Lincoln or indomitable cripple Christy Brown in My Left Foot. He’s one of the actors on this list who may be just too talented, too devoted, for a bit part.
Helen Mirren
The only female Alfred on this list, like Day Lewis above her, (Dame) Helen Mirren makes the cut simply because of the caliber of her acting. Though her dignified performance Elizabeth II may have won her an Oscar in Stephen Frears‘ The Queen, Mirren spent fifteen years as the damaged but indomitable DCI Tennyson in Prime Suspect (securing her six Emmy nominations and two wins). With a list of awards and nominations that takes up a whole Wikipedia article, Mirren’s proven she can do anything, so why not a maternal, cool-as-ice Alfred(a)?
Geoffrey Rush
And the hits just keep on coming with Geoffrey Rush. Whether you know him as the scurvy Barbossa in the Pirates of the Caribbean series (the only character other than Johnny Depps‘ Captain Jack to be brought back for Stranger Tides) or as unconventional speech therapist Lionel Logue in The King’s Speech, Rush is one of those actors with a knack for reinvention. Who else could play the chameleonic Peter Sellers in HBO’s The Life and Death of…? He might belong to the Commonwealth, but Rush could certainly blow us away as our favorite gentleman’s gentleman.
And now, without further ado, onto our favorites in Part 6!
Alan Rickman
Hans Gruber, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Rasputin: Alan Rickman may have started acting relatively late – he attended RADA at the age of 26 – but he’s more than made up for it by presenting us with a delectable array of cinematic nasties. Still, as his sensitive portrayal of the outwardly callous Severus Snape may have demonstrated, Rickman is capable of far more than just generic villains. Widely considered one of the best actors never to have received an Oscar nomination, Alan Rickman’s snide deadpan, however, might just steal the film away.
Anthony Hopkins
Already a key player in the MCU, Anthony Hopkins is no stranger to a life of duty, having already famously played a butler in The Remains of the Day. His unmistakeable gravitas, on display in projects as diverse as Thor and The Silence of the Lambs (his iconic Oscar-winning performance as Epicurean serial killer Hannibal Lecter), there’s a quirkiness and unpredictability to Hopkins’ body of work. He may well have had his share of superhero films, but Hopkins would certainly make for a jocular and twinkly-eyed Alfred if the chance arose.
Jason Isaacs
Part of the menagerie that is the Harry Potter films, Jason Isaacs may be known as the silver-haired, coolly snobbish Lucius Malfoy, but there’s more to him than just that derisive lip curl. As the merciless Colonel Tavington in The Patriot and a nightmarish Captain Hook in 2003’s Peter Pan, he may have showed off his dark side, but Isaacs’ performance in multi-verse TV series Awake showed his capable of rendering a fragile and sympathetic character. His lean, hawkish physicality could also lend itself to Alfred’s background as a former intelligence agent.
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Though perhaps not the first face to come to mind when thinking of Batman’s live-in help, Philip Seymour Hoffman is, nevertheless, one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. His role as the fey, effeminate Truman Capote netted him an Oscar back in 2005 and highlighted Hoffman’s ability for self-transformation. Pudgy comic relief, condescending arms dealer, heartbroken political operative, nothing is outside his wheelhouse. Hoffman’s wry, self-effacing Alfred might well be magnificence; then again, it’d be a shame to lose him as a future Penguin.
Pierce Brosnan
Another Bond – Connery and Moore missed this list by dint of being that bit too old – Pierce Brosnan’s dry wit and cool demeanor has done him well. He may have mostly coasted on charm as Remington Steele and through The Thomas Crowne Affair, but Brosnan has also shown a willingness to reinvent this persona, most notably as washed-up assassin Julian in The Matador. At 60 years old, Brosnan is now beginning to (gracefully) show his age; after all, you can’t go on being an action hero forever. Plus, we already know he looks good in a tux.
William Shatner
That’s right folks. Captain Kirk. Denny Crane. Alfred. William Shatner (jokingly?) tweeted his interest in the role to Ben Affleck weeks ago, and we think the two couldn’t be better matched. Just think of Shatner’s signature speech rhythm in a British accent:
“Well, Master Bruce, what did you think would happen when you punched the Man of Steel in the jaw?”
And if that doesn’t convince you, just think of jokes that would come from Shatner’s Boston Legal co-star James Spader playing the eponymous villain of The Avenges: Age of Ulton. Alfred and Ultron sharing a bottle of scotch, calling each other flamingos? Tell me you wouldn’t love to see that meme.
And that about does it for our veritable encyclopedia of would-be Alfreds. It’s certainly between an exhaustive list – to our minds, we’ve covered just about every take on the character imaginable – but what do you think? Outraged by the exclusion of franchise giants Sirs Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen (they’ve arguably got enough to be getting on with)? Baffled by the inclusion of DDL and PSH? Well, who would you suggest?
Also, a big thanks to the forums at SuperHeroHype for many of the above suggestions. Their good-natured brainstorming helped make this list as complete as it is.