Let’s face it: Bruce Wayne might be donning the cape, but Alfred Pennyworth is the glue that holds Gotham’s most dysfunctional home intact. He’s the advisor, the guardian, the quick-witted sparring opponent, and frequently the only one to remind Batman he’s human. As DC’s new Batman movie comes our way, fans are already arguing over who will be the next to play Gotham’s most faithful butler. A good Alfred doesn’t merely pour tea—he pours heart, humor, and wisdom that bring the story up a notch. Here’s our top 10 dream casting choices.
10. Tom Hollander
He’s not yet a household name, but Tom Hollander has already provided the voice of Alfred in the animated series Harley Quinn. At 55, he’s old enough to remain in the role for a few films, and his combination of dry British humor and warmth would make us an Alfred who’s both laugh-out-loud funny and profoundly human. Hollander’s got BAFTA and SAG awards to his credit, and his comedic skills would be an ideal fit for James Gunn’s lighthearted tone in the DCU.
9. Tom Selleck
Few actors exude calm authority like Tom Selleck does. Familiar for his extended stint as Commissioner Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods, he already finds himself the steady leader Alfred type. Couple that with his signature mustache and actual military service, and Selleck might seamlessly walk into Gotham as a battle-scarred, trusted mentor. He’d bring gravitas, but also the sort of fatherly warmth that would play stunningly against a brooding Batman.
8. Anthony Hopkins
Need thunderous gravitas, Alfred? Look no further than Anthony Hopkins. The Oscar-winning veteran has portrayed kings, gods, and geniuses, and could easily bring an Alfred who dominates the room with but a stare. The only question: would he return to superhero films after his ambivalence about Marvel’s Thor movies? If offered a meaty script, Hopkins could recast Alfred as not just a butler but a moral compass for Batman.
7. Jack Bannon
Pennyworth fans already know Jack Bannon is capable of playing a young Alfred with panache and toughness. With three seasons at the helm of the TV origin story, he’s shown he can do action, charm, and that British stiff upper lip. If DC wanted to pursue flashbacks or a newer interpretation of Alfred’s early days, Bannon is already battle-hardened and could take that iteration of the character into the new DCU with ease.
6. Forest Whitaker
Few performers can blend quiet dignity with brute force the way Forest Whitaker does. His work in The Butler demonstrated his elegance in a subservient role, and movies such as Black Panther and Southpaw showcased how he could teach and motivate. Casting Whitaker would add not just prestige, but a more diverse interpretation of Alfred, one where he’s not just in the shadows, but a dominant, indispensable figure in Batman’s universe.
5. Brian Cox
If Alfred is required to corral a disordered Bat-family, Brian Cox is your guy. Straight from Succession, where he managed his kingdom with a combination of love and brutal candor, Cox has mastered the art of blunt mentorship. He’d take it with him to Wayne Manor, handing out to Bruce the kind of hard-hitting honesty no one else has the guts to dispense. An Alfred Cox would never hesitate to speak his mind, and audiences would eat up every cutting line.
4. Christoph Waltz
Intelligent, cunning, and perpetually charismatic, Christoph Waltz might bring an Alfred full of quick wit and multi-faceted depth. His Oscar-winning performance in Django Unchained demonstrated he can be a heart-in-his-soul mentor, but his villainous performances indicate that he can navigate Gotham’s darkness. Waltz’s Alfred would be witty, quotable, and perpetually one step ahead of a thinking butler with attitude.
3. Ian McShane
Need Alfred with bite? Ian McShane is your guy. As Winston in John Wick, he radiates elegance, command, and low-key menace, the ideal combination for someone who runs a household as well as a vigilante empire. With his authoritative voice and no-fooling-around attitude, McShane’s Alfred would be more fixer than valet, a guy who keeps Batman’s universe ticking with precision.
2. Ralph Fiennes
He’s already done Alfred in The Lego Batman Movie, and everyone was a fan. Ralph Fiennes has also played M in the James Bond series, keeping spies in line with quiet authority. The fact that he’s been rumored to be interested in doing Alfred live-action makes him an even better bet. Fiennes has dry wit, seriousness, and world-weary smarts, the perfect mix to bring Alfred Pennyworth to life.
1. Bryan Cranston
Number one on the list is Bryan Cranston, whose intelligence, heart, and intensity make him the ideal Alfred. Famous for Breaking Bad, Cranston has honed the ability to balance warmth and steel, the very qualities Alfred must provide as he seeks to counsel Bruce Wayne, yet keep him grounded. He’s already played Jim Gordon in Batman: Year One, so he’s familiar with Gotham. Cranston’s Alfred would be half-mule, half-father figure, and half-housemother, making all Batcave scenes a memory to cherish.
Alfred Pennyworth is more than a butler; he’s Batman’s conscience, anchor, and sometimes sole family. Whoever takes up the role afterward will bear massive weight, but with talents like these in contention, the future is bright for Gotham’s most trusted protector.