By Margaret Lockyer
The Batman is on its way to theaters, so let's prepare by getting to know the main cast of characters set to feature in the film.
The highly anticipated release of the latest live-action adaptation of the iconic DC characterBatman arrives in theaters March 4, 2022.The Batman is a new stand-alone story about the Caped Crusader from director Matt Reeves, who also co-wrote the script. The early reviews rave over the film, paying attention to its emotional and grounded story. So while anticipation builds for audiences, let's take a beat to explore who we can expect to see in the film and dive into Gotham City.
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman
Since wrapping up his breakout role as the romantic lead in the teen-oriented vampire seriesTwilight, Robert Pattinson has leaned more toward independent, smaller and sometimes weirder films. He's received critical acclaim for some of these roles, including his turn as a lighthouse keeper driven to insanity inThe Lighthouse. Now, he dons the cowl as Bruce Wayne, the billionaire-turned-vigilante crime fighter and titular character ofThe Batman. This version of Batman returns to the character's detective roots, and the use of his intelligence, physicality and unique gadgets are driven by his emotional commitment to his self-appointed mission.
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Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman
The Batman won't beZoë Kravitz's first time in a superhero film, previously appearing inX-Men: First Class,nor will it be her first time playing Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman. Kravitz previously voiced the character in The Lego Batman Movie. Much of the promotional material hasemphasized the partnership between Catwoman and Batman that will take place during this film. This version of Selina Kyle promises to be a well-rounded counterweight to Batman in that they both believe in the pursuit of justice and protecting the innocent, but they have unique methods that sometimes put them at odds with each other.
Jeffery Wright as Lt. James Gordon
Fresh off his supporting role asFelix Leiter in the Daniel Craig James Bond films, Jeffrey Wright appears asLieutenant James Gordon of the GCPD. Gordon is an allyto Batman who works within the traditional systemthat Batman can never truly be part of, and together, they face off against the corruption and criminal within Gotham City. The film will explore the relationship between Gordon and Batman while they are both relatively early in their careers. Gordon is Batman's only police ally at this time, but they're still learning to trust each other and build upon that foundation toward something bigger: a real partnership.
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Paul Dano as The Riddler
The Batman features a selection of the character's most iconic villains among its cast. Centralto the main storyline of the film isThe Riddler,played by Paul Dano. Dano is no stranger to dark films with dark characters, and his version of Riddler is a far cry from the campy iterations seen before in live-action films. A brilliant and lonely man, Edward Nashton (a name change from the source material) pushes Batman to the precipice as he uses puzzles and ciphers to call out the corruption of Gotham andexecute his dark agenda.
Colin Farrell as Oz/The Penguin
The Riddler is not the only iconic rogue featured in the film. He will be joined by Oz, AKA The Penguin, played byColin Farrell, who is nearly unrecognizable in the role. Not yet a leader of the criminal underworld,The Batman introduces Penguin as a member of Carmine Falcone's crime family and the head proprietor of The Iceberg Lounge, a meeting place and general hub of Gotham's seedy underworld. Penguin is still in the process of becoming the iconic version of his character and isoften underestimated by some of his peers, having yet to reach his full potential.
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John Turturro as Carmine Falcone
Speaking of Carmine Falcone, the notorious crime boss of Gotham Citywill also appear in the film. Played byJohn Turturro, this version of the character rules Gotham in relative isolation.He's rarely seen, but his influence and power are widely felt and understood. Falcone's relationship with The Penguin will likely be a major component of the character's screen time, though his actions and orders likely play a significant role in the overarching story and the depiction of the deeply rooted corruption within Gotham.
Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth has been a long-time ally of Batman,originally the Wayne family bodyguard who became a surrogate father to a traumatized orphan and a trusted advisor to a legendary crime fighter. This version of the character struggles with the paternal-type emotions within the dynamic and leans more heavily on his military habits and skills, and at this point, he is the only person who knows the true identity of the caped crusader. The character will be played by frequent Reeves collaborator Andy Serkis.Adirector himself, Serkis' most recent film,Venom: Let There Be Carnage, was also in the superhero genre, though with a much different tone than that ofThe Batman.
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Peter Sarsgaard as District Attorney Gil Colson
A walking example of the corruption problem in Gotham City is its District Attorney,Gil Colson, played byPeter Sarsgaard, whois the real-life husband ofThe Dark Knight actressMaggie Gyllenhaal. Gil Colson may be a family man, but he has also allowed the criminals of Gotham to corrupt what his role as a D.A. should be and allowed the environment of corruption and crime to fester and infect the city. He's enjoying the perks of the position that comes with turning a blind eye to justice and is a contributing factor to the downward spiral seen by the city that created the environment for Batman, and The Riddler, to grow.
Barry Keoghan as Unseen Arkham Prisoner
One of the stars of Marvel'sEternals, Barry Keoghan has received relatively high billing for playing a character credited as "Unseen Arkham Prisoner." But beyond that, not much has been officially revealed about who that character actually is. Thanks to a tweet from Keoghan's brother,many fans believe this prisoner will turn out to be The Joker in later installments of this Batman iteration, though that's not confirmed. Reeves has also teased that the character was featured in scenes that were eventually cut from the final film but may be released after the film hits theaters. So, while the mystery of this character is yet to be fully realized, there is a promise of something exciting to come from this inclusion somewhere down the road.
To meet all of these characters and more, The Batman arrives in theaters on March 4.
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