TDKR: Sir Michael Caine On Saying Goodbye To Alfred

TDKR: Sir Michael Caine On Saying Goodbye To Alfred

In an interview with Empire, Christopher Nolan's "good luck charm" discusses working with the director on his final Batman movie, and playing Bruce Wayne's loyal butler for the last time..

By MarkCassidy - Jul 05, 2012 03:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Batman
Source: Empire

In an interesting interview with Empire, Sir Michael Caine chats about working with Christopher Nolan for the last time as Alfred Pennyworth. The actor reminisces about being a part of five movies with "the greatest technicians in every field, in the entire movie industry anywhere", and shares his feelings on leaving behind a character he feels is an essential, but not massive, part in the Dark Knight trilogy. Caine remains tight lipped on any plot points, but does reveal that Alfred "gets some great moments. I have a couple in this last one, too.". Here are some excerpts..



What's new with Alfred then, in The Dark Knight Rises?

Its such a plot point that I can't tell you. We've signed agreements for silence. I think I'd go to jail if I told you. Or I'd have to kill you. But we don't want either of those things to happen!

Will you miss playing Alfred?

In a way, but in a way it's right. I mean, I've played him three times. His role in Batman is to be your reality. When you get into the fantasy, suddenly you've got the butler there saying exactly what you're thinking - "you can't do that! You can't go flying up in a bat suit in here! What are you, nuts?!" He is the foot on the ground and that's what was always important to me. And I played it that way. I remember once when Chris told me this would be the last one I said, "if they're doing another one I'm going to play the butler if it's any good and if they offer it to me." He said, "I want ten percent." I said, "No, you're not getting it!". It's that sort of relationship...


For the full interview be sure to head over to Empire by following the link below.









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Coachella
Coachella - 7/5/2012, 4:03 AM
Why does Bale look weak and puny? I know this is after Bane gives him a beat down but in the trailers he looks way bigger as Batman. Is it like fake muscle when he's Batman?
hellfire
hellfire - 7/5/2012, 4:06 AM
When blowing the bloody doors off is just not enough

Gose
Gose - 7/5/2012, 4:07 AM
YES, can't wait for the next version of BATMAN in the cinema, who will be the next directing team of the BATMAN franchise ....
HeadlessJensen
HeadlessJensen - 7/5/2012, 4:13 AM
Sir Michael Caine is one of the best actors ever! Sad to see his Alfred go.
silverdog
silverdog - 7/5/2012, 4:24 AM
yeah yeah... sooo sad to see michael caine playing michael caine go.

maybe we can have somebody that actually looks like alfred for the reebot.
MisterFixit
MisterFixit - 7/5/2012, 4:26 AM
yeah great actor all life long
blvdnoise
blvdnoise - 7/5/2012, 4:26 AM
14 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mgeoff88
mgeoff88 - 7/5/2012, 4:36 AM
Man, with the inevitably reboot coming, I forgot Michael Caine would no longer be playing Alfred.

I'm gonna miss him in the role. He was great. His portrayal was reminiscent of Alfred on B:TAS.

@Spidey760 In the movie, it's supposed to be showing Bruce isn't as young as he used to be. It has been eight years since he was Batman in TDK.

Also, I think that's a picture of Bruce before he starts his physical training to return as Batman. The suit does add some weight too. It's not fake muscle, the suit has a lot of kevlar padding(not real). As a result, it makes him look bigger.
UrbanKnight
UrbanKnight - 7/5/2012, 4:42 AM
mbembet right!

teabag RIGHT!!! lmao
UrbanKnight
UrbanKnight - 7/5/2012, 4:45 AM
Sound like he's game to keep playing alfred. interesting.
Coachella
Coachella - 7/5/2012, 4:48 AM
@mgeoff88- thanks! I just started thinking that maybe this was one of the first shots they did and maybe they gave Bale time to work out.
Super12
Super12 - 7/5/2012, 5:07 AM
I love Michael Caine. Have ever since I saw Muppet Christmas Carol. He is an amazing Alfred, it's cool he'd still want to play the part after this too
MrsTonyStark0507
MrsTonyStark0507 - 7/5/2012, 5:19 AM
Spidey760 - This one is loosely based on Knightfall and in that, he is sick and exhausted and weaker then he usually is. Also, Nolan said this:

"It’s really all about finishing Batman and Bruce Wayne’s story. We left him in a very precarious place. Perhaps surprisingly for some people, our story picks up quite a bit later, eight years after The Dark Knight. So he’s an older Bruce Wayne; he’s not in a great state.
With Bane, we’re looking to give Batman a challenge he hasn’t had before. With our choice of villain and with our choice of story we’re testing Batman both physically as well as mentally."
MrReese
MrReese - 7/5/2012, 5:20 AM
@Tea LMAO!!!! XD
Sabconth
Sabconth - 7/5/2012, 5:26 AM
The conversations between Bruce and Alfred are some of the most memorable of the series, of any series actually.
AmazingFantasy
AmazingFantasy - 7/5/2012, 5:26 AM
I [frick]ing love this man.
TheSoulEater
TheSoulEater - 7/5/2012, 5:32 AM
The best...

Superheromovies2000
Superheromovies2000 - 7/5/2012, 5:32 AM
I feel sorry for the next team that has to try & live up to this trilogy!! Good Luck!!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/5/2012, 5:40 AM
Maia87, sorry was Alfred even in those other Batman movies? I remember one scene where he brought Bruce some cold soup or something..
TheDetectiveComicRises
TheDetectiveComicRises - 7/5/2012, 5:45 AM
Sir Michael Caine is first class I will miss him playing Alfred He always said great quotes I must say he is my favorite Alfred just like Bale is my favorite Batman/Bruce Wayne this is a great ensemble & I look so forward to the epic conclusion to perhaps my favorite trilogy of all time The Batman Dark Knight Trilogy :)
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/5/2012, 5:53 AM
Nah Gough was great in the role, he just wasn't used nearly enough. Nobody was really aside from Batman and whatever villain was involved.
YOUNGBL00D
YOUNGBL00D - 7/5/2012, 6:00 AM
What can I say, I love mycocaine
thewonderer
thewonderer - 7/5/2012, 8:16 AM
@kryptonite

[frick] Gough, Caine acted way more like a father figure and had amazing chemistry with Bale. He turned a seemingly low part into a very memorable one.

Keaton himself was a terrible choice and had no bond at all with Gough.

Caine is a brilliant actor and the best damn Alfred we will ever see.

Hell, the weird butler in Spider-Man 3 that convinces Harry to help Spider-Man is more convincing than Gough
starkillerkch
starkillerkch - 7/5/2012, 8:25 AM
I think the picture of bruce and alfred makes them both seem 20 years older. look at bruce hand. this could be at the end of the film were they are both really old.
Supershadowbat
Supershadowbat - 7/5/2012, 9:18 AM
While Gough looked the part, Caine bought a warmth and fatherly essence to the role. He's a great actor and will be missed as Alfred after TDKR.
DraculaX
DraculaX - 7/5/2012, 9:29 AM
Thank you Sir Michael Caine. Hell, we should get a Alfred spin off, lol.
spidey1994
spidey1994 - 7/5/2012, 9:35 AM
Michael Caine IS Alfred!
TheBatman50k
TheBatman50k - 7/5/2012, 2:09 PM
Michael Caine as Alfred was one of the great joys of the first two films. I loved how this verison of Alfred really challenged Bruce and asked him questions about his life style of whether it is good for him or not. I also love how they portrayed him as a serious father like figure BUT also as a person who doesnt know how far he should treat Bruce as a person since 1) He is employed by Bruce and 2) he also loves him like a Son, so with those two conflicting feelings makes for a very interesting character. SADLY I believe that Alfred is going to die =(
MitchConner
MitchConner - 7/5/2012, 3:43 PM
Yea all of that screams another batman movie coming up...Bale is done, bu the story isn't.
DoomXfactor
DoomXfactor - 7/5/2012, 3:45 PM
Michael Gough and Keaton [frick]ing rule. Without them there would be no future Batman movies. They started it all. Have respect for your Batman history @ Wonderbread and Sir whines a LOT
With that being said...I loved Caine and Bale
MitchConner
MitchConner - 7/5/2012, 3:46 PM
I think Levitt is def the replacement and Gordon is game to have his back as well.
KnobGoblin
KnobGoblin - 7/5/2012, 4:01 PM
Alfred is gonna die I bet. He died at the end of The Dark Knight Returns.
TheWebSlinger
TheWebSlinger - 7/5/2012, 4:54 PM
Best Alfred ever.
pepe
pepe - 7/5/2012, 10:36 PM
Best Cocaine ever!!!
DoomXfactor
DoomXfactor - 7/5/2012, 11:21 PM
@banekill- The only thing funny and stupid is you and your comments. Your opinions are terrible and nobody agrees with you. Have u seen all the hate on Tobey?
And for having such cool name like banekill...it really doesn't suit you. Your opinions are really weak and sensitive. For a while there I thought u were a woman.
Anyway, I do respect the Raimi movies. I respect them for showing everybody how not to do a Spider-man movie lol
Michael Keaton did start it. He was the first brooding, dark superhero in a movie. Batman the Animated Series was highly influenced on how he portrayed Batman. Don't get me started on Jack Nicholson.
Oh and enjoy the Amazing Spider-man cause there is most likely going to be a trilogy lol Too bad for your Tobey
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