Deadline has confirmed that Andy Serkis will return as Alfred Pennyworth in the sequel to Matt Reeves' "The Batman." Initially, the actor's participation was questioned due to his tight schedule, as Serkis is busy working on the film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," where he not only plays the main role but also serves as the director.
Filming for "The Batman 2" will begin in May, and work on "The Hunt for Gollum" will start in July, so the projects do not directly overlap. However, according to Serkis, he will join the filming not immediately, but closer to the end of the year, when he is free from other commitments.
Robert Pattinson will reappear as Bruce Wayne in the sequel, and Colin Farrell will return as Penguin, Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon, and Barry Keoghan as Joker. Among the new faces are expected Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan, who will play Gina Gold and Harvey Dent, respectively.
The premiere of "The Batman 2" is scheduled for October 1, 2027. The film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will be released on December 17, 2027.