Cast
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / Batman:A reclusive billionaire who obsessively protects Gotham City as a masked vigilante to cope with his traumatic past. Batman is around 30 years old and not yet an experienced crime fighter. Director Matt Reeves wanted to explore the character before he becomes experienced. Reeves and Pattinson described Batman as an insomniac who cannot differentiate between the Batman persona and his "recluse rockstar" public identity as Bruce, with Reeves comparing his obsession with Batman to that of a drug addiction. Pattinson said the film questions the nature of heroism, as Batman is more flawed than traditional superheroes and unable to control himself, seeking to process his rage and inflict his perceived justice. Reeves considered The Batman a story about Batman learning that he must not exact vengeance, but inspire hope. Oscar Novak portrays a young Bruce, while Rick English was Pattinson's stunt double.
Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle / Catwoman:A nightclub waitress, drug dealer, and cat burglar who meets Batman while searching for her missing roommate; her moral ambiguity challenges Batman's black-and-white view of good and evil. Kravitz said the character is gradually becoming a femme fatale while discovering herself and surviving. She described her as a mysterious character with unclear motivations who represents femininity in contrast to Batman's masculinity. She said the pair are partners in crime, drawn together by their desire to fight for vulnerable people. Reeves saw Selina as allowing Batman to be aware of his sheltered upbringing and change his mind regarding preconceived assumptions he had about Gotham's corruption. Kravitz focused more on Selina than her Catwoman persona because she wanted to focus on the character's emotional journey. She also interpreted Selina as bisexual, which the character is depicted as in some comics.
Paul Dano as Edward Nashton / The Riddler:A forensic accountant inspired by Batman to become a serial killer. He targets the elite of Gotham and live-streams his crimes. An orphan raised in abject poverty, the Riddler resents Gotham's affluent people for ignoring the less fortunate. Nashton seeks to expose Gotham's corruption by taunting Batman and law enforcement with riddles. Reeves said Batman inspiring the Riddler reflects the idea from the comics that he creates his own enemies and that the Riddler's attack on Gotham gives the character a political agenda as a terrorist-like figure. He found the similarity between Batman and the Riddler's goals unsettling. He likened the Riddler to the Zodiac Killer for their practice of communicating with ciphers and riddles. Dano wanted his performance to balance the real-life inspirations with the Batman franchise's theatricality. Joseph Walker portrays a young Nashton. Due to citogenesis, the Riddler uses the alias "Patrick Parker".
Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon:An ally of Batman in the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD). He is the only GCPD officer whom Batman trusts, and they work together to solve the Riddler case. Similar to director Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012), Gordon begins as a police lieutenant in The Batman, allowing his progression to police commissioner to be depicted in subsequent films. Wright felt that starting Gordon as the lieutenant enabled him to play a larger role than previous film iterations. Reeves felt that Batman and Gordon's partnership was emphasized more than in previous Batman films, and he compared them to Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Robert Redford) from All the President's Men (1974).
John Turturro as Carmine Falcone:A Gotham crime boss who maintains substantial control over Gotham's affairs, he is the Riddler's primary target as well as Selina's father. Turturro described Falcone as dangerous, while Reeves said he appeared to be a "genteel mobster", but has a dark history, comparing him to Noah Cross (John Huston) from Chinatown (1974). The Batman implies that Falcone played a role in Batman's origin story by ordering the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Falcone wears vintage sunglasses throughout the film, as Turturro felt the character needed a "mask".
Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson: Gotham's district attorney, whom Sarsgaard described as untruthful and "distasteful"
Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth:Batman's butler and mentor, though they have a strained relationship and rarely speak. Pattinson described Alfred as Batman's only confidant, even though Alfred believes he is insane. Alfred is used to structure and order due to his military background, which is also reflected in his attire and demeanor. To illustrate Alfred's physical appearance as a military veteran, Reeves conceived the idea of him using a cane, while Serkis suggested incorporating his facial scars. Serkis said Alfred was part of the secret service before joining the Wayne Enterprises security team; his background led to him acting more as a teacher or mentor to Bruce rather than the father figure he needed during Bruce's childhood. Reeves noted that Alfred was forced into becoming Bruce's parental figure despite being inexperienced and young, and feels guilty that his flawed parenting of Bruce might have led to his obsession with Batman.
Colin Farrell as Oz / The Penguin:Falcone's chief lieutenant, who was born with clubfoot, giving him a waddle-like gait, and operates the Iceberg Lounge, the nightclub where Selina works. He is not yet the crime kingpin he is depicted as in the comics and dislikes being referred to as the Penguin. Reeves described the Penguin as a "mid-level mobster" with some showmanship who has been underestimated and desires more. Reeves compared the Penguin to Fredo Corleone (John Cazale) from The Godfather (1972) because he feels insignificant within a crime family of competent and powerful men. Farrell wore heavy prosthetics and a fat suit created by makeup artist Mike Marino, which made him look unrecognizable and took two to four hours to apply. Producer Dylan Clark said that during the production of the spin-off series The Penguin (2024), the Penguin's surname was shortened from the original comic book name, Cobblepot, to simply "Cobb" to help make the character more grounded.
Supporting cast members include: Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál, a mayoral candidate for Gotham City who Reeves said represents hope; Gil Perez-Abraham as Martinez, a GCPD officer; Peter McDonald as William Kenzie, a corrupt GCPD officer; Alex Ferns as Pete Savage, the GCPD commissioner; Con O'Neill as Mackenzie Bock, the GCPD chief; and Rupert Penry-Jones as Don Mitchell Jr., Gotham's mayor. Barry Keoghan makes a cameo appearance as the Joker, an enemy of Batman incarcerated in Arkham State Hospital; he is credited as "Unseen Arkham Prisoner". Other cast members are: twins Charlie and Max Carver as Iceberg Lounge bouncers (credited as "The Twins"); Hana Hrzic as Annika Kosolov, Selina's friend, an Iceberg Lounge waitress murdered by Falcone; Jay Lycurgo as a young gang member; Akie Kotabe as a train passenger; Sandra Dickinson as Dory, Bruce's housekeeper; and Luke Roberts and Stella Stocker as Bruce's parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, respectively.
