The Batman Reboot Casting Thread - Part 7

[Matt]

Slightly unconventional choice, but how about David Hyde Pierce for Alfred?

He has the added bonus of being a huge comic fan (so much so, that he actually has a cameo in the original Spider-Man's World Trade Center trailer).

Alternatively, Kenneth Branagh might be a good fit for the role (and is slightly more conventional).

 

[C Prometheus]

Alternatively, Kenneth Branagh might be a good fit for the role (and is slightly more conventional).

... Can he keep his mustache from Murder on the Orient Express for the role?

But in all seriousness, Branagh would be a superb Alfred!

 

[Matt]

... Can he keep his mustache from Murder on the Orient Express for the role?

But in all seriousness, Branagh would be a superb Alfred!

I mean, really, he should keep his mustache from Murder on the Orient Express for ALL roles.

But yeah, I'm surprised he hasn't been mentioned in this thread before. He is truly one of the most underrated actors in existence.

 

[Greens]

I mean, really, he should keep his mustache from Murder on the Orient Express for ALL roles.

Unless he's playing Superman. Say #no to #mustachegate.

 

[Eddie Dean]

I wonder if people don’t mention Branagh because of the Marvel connection. He’d be a great Alfred.

 

[Matt]

I wonder if people don’t mention Branagh because of the Marvel connection. He’d be a great Alfred.

If so, that's a shame. In fact, I dare say Branagh would make a fantastic director for a Batman movie. I think he'd play up the detective angle, which is something we've never really seen explored in a Batman film. I think this would be especially apt if Riddler is the villain; basically a battle of wits between Batman and Riddler.

Really, I can think of few directors better suited for Batman than Branagh. We know from Thor and Jack Ryan that he can do competent action scenes. Plus, I think in terms of characterization, he would probably provide the best exploration of Batman's psyche that we've ever seen on film. Further, very few directors get more from their actors than Branagh, so you know the casting and performances would be top notch. Finally, and one very underrated aspect of a Batman movie that I think Branagh could nail is Gotham City itself. After watching Murder on the Orient Express, and seeing how much he is capable of doing in terms of visual setting in such a limited context (he nails the post WWI period piece feel without ever really leaving a train setting, everything from set design to costumes are perfect), I can only imagine how beautifully gothic his Gotham City would be. He would really bring Gotham to life.

 

[Rorschach2012]

I like the rougher Earth One/Jeremy Irons/Gotham Alfred.

Sean Bean is perfect for this

 

[Eddie Dean]

Copycat. Sean Bean is my Alfred choice.

 

[Eddie Dean]

But maybe Ralph Fiennes can make the move to live action.

 

[Matt]

I like the rougher Earth One/Jeremy Irons/Gotham Alfred.

Sean Bean is perfect for this

If Sean Bean is Alfred, Alfred has to die.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Sean Bean death jokes are such old news.

 

[shauner111]

Alfred needs to have good comedic timing.

Also, any time I hear people act as if Bale's batman never did detective work, I laugh. He did a lot of detective work throughout the trilogy. Could Reeves explore that side of him more? Sure. He probably will. But "it was never really explored" is such a dumb thing to read on this forum.

 

[David H.]

I want Mark Rylance as Alfred but only if he talks like the BFG.

 

[Matt]

Sean Bean death jokes are such old news.

But obligatory any time he comes up in anything.

Alfred needs to have good comedic timing.

All the more reason for David Hyde Pierce, damnit!

Also, any time I hear people act as if Bale's batman never did detective work, I laugh. He did a lot of detective work throughout the trilogy. Could Reeves explore that side of him more? Sure. He probably will. But "it was never really explored" is such a dumb thing to read on this forum.

If that's the dumbest thing you've ever read on this forum, you clearly haven't been here very long. Its not as if it has ever been a prominent part of Batman's identity or played any meaningful role in any Batman film; not even the Nolan movies. There is really no substantive detective work in Batman Begins or TDKR. In TDK, there is the scene in the bank and that's about the extent of it. Mr. Reese does more detective work in TDK than Bruce. Hell, its probably not entirely inaccurate to say that Mr. Reese does more detective work in TDK than Bruce does in the entire Nolan Trilogy (maybe in all Batfilms combined, though that is probably slightly hyperbolic). Its certainly never been a prominent part of who Batman is in any Batfilm. Ergo, its not an unfair statement to say its never really been explored.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Alfred needs to have good comedic timing.

Sean Bean can be funny! Like in The Martian!

 

[Astro13Zombie]

Slightly unconventional choice, but how about David Hyde Pierce for Alfred?

He has the added bonus of being a huge comic fan (so much so, that he actually has a cameo in the original Spider-Man's World Trade Center trailer).

Alternatively, Kenneth Branagh might be a good fit for the role (and is slightly more conventional).

I

Really like the idea of this

 

[Eddie Dean]

If we're going with an American Alfred, it's all John Lithgow, all the time, baby!

 

[Matt]

I

Really like the idea of this

It actually makes a lot of sense when you think about it!

If we're going with an American Alfred, it's all John Lithgow, all the time, baby!

I know you're being sarcastic, but both can convincingly do English accents, and both have a lot stronger acting chops than their more well known roles would indicate. I think either would be a great Alfred.

 

[shauner111]

But obligatory any time he comes up in anything.



All the more reason for David Hyde Pierce, damnit!



If that's the dumbest thing you've ever read on this forum, you clearly haven't been here very long. Its not as if it has ever been a prominent part of Batman's identity or played any meaningful role in any Batman film; not even the Nolan movies. There is really no substantive detective work in Batman Begins or TDKR. In TDK, there is the scene in the bank and that's about the extent of it. Mr. Reese does more detective work in TDK than Bruce. Hell, its probably not entirely inaccurate to say that Mr. Reese does more detective work in TDK than Bruce does in the entire Nolan Trilogy (maybe in all Batfilms combined, though that is probably slightly hyperbolic). Its certainly never been a prominent part of who Batman is in any Batfilm. Ergo, its not an unfair statement to say its never really been explored.

First off, I never said it was one of the dumbest things I've ever read on this forum. Clearly, you should take your time and actually read. Secondly, if that's the only detective work from the trilogy that you caught, you probably should have been paying more attention.

 

[Eddie Dean]

I'm not being sarcastic, I do think Lithgow would be a good Alfred! I'd prefer him just to use his regular accent, though.

Jason Isaacs would be a good Alfred, too. My only reservation is that even at 54, he stills looks super youthful and handsome, especially next to some one like Jakey G or Armond Hammer. He'd have to be like a twenty year old butler when the Wayne where shot.

 

[Matt]

I'm not being sarcastic, I do think Lithgow would be a good Alfred! I'd prefer him just to use his regular accent, though.

Jason Isaacs would be a good Alfred, too. My only reservation is that even as 54, he stills looks super youthful and handsome, especially next to some one like Jakey G or Armond Hammer. He'd have to be like a twenty year old butler when the Wayne where shot.

I thought about Isaacs too. But he only really works in a Year One type setting as the man doesn't age.

 

[Matt]

First off, I never said it was one of the dumbest things I've ever read on this forum. Clearly, you should take your time and actually read. Secondly, if that's the only detective work from the trilogy that you caught, you probably should have been paying more attention.

And yet you offer no examples.

 

[shauner111]

Because I've done this dance many times in the past. And quite frankly I prefer to see somebody else come in here and school you on the facts. I don't have the patience to make a list.

 

[Matt]

Because I've done this dance many times in the past. And quite frankly I prefer to see somebody else come in here and school you on the facts. I don't have the patience to make a list.

And that, my friends, is how you duck a question when you know you have no substantive answer.

 

[Eddie Dean]

I'd also like Colin Firth as a younger Alfred.

Or Ciaran Hinds if we can forget Justice League...

Or Brendan Gleeson for a hefty Alfred.