Michael Caine has had a truly amazing career, starring in over 130 movies and earning two Academy Awards over a span of six decades. One of his most surprising decisions was joining a major superhero franchise with 2005's Batman Begins, and he would go on to play Bruce Wayne's loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises as well.
During a recent interview with The Hindu, Caine shed some light on how he was offered this role, and it sounds like filmmaker Christopher Nolan was the one who ultimately sold him on the part.
"He came to the front door of my house in the country with a script," the actor revealed. "I could see him through the glass but I couldn’t recognize him. The moment he introduced himself, I knew exactly who he was because I was a great fan of his three small films."
"I told him, ‘I am too old for Batman. Do you want me to play the butler? What would my dialogues be? Would you like another beverage or more custard?’" Despite those early reservations, Caine went on to say that he ended up having no regrets. "So, I did the movie and it was one of the greatest things I have done in my life."
For many fans, the British actor's take on Alfred Pennyworth remains the definitive big screen version of the Caped Crusader's closest ally. After Jeremy Irons' brief stint as the character in the DC Extended Universe, it's now up to Andy Serkis to offer his take in Matt Reeves' The Batman.
What did you guys think of Caine's version of Alfred in The Dark Knight Trilogy?
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