Movies - TV
The Unusual Way Christopher Nolan Pitched Batman Begins' Alfred To Michael Caine
By JAMIE GERBER
Michael Caine has appeared in eight out of the 11 movies that Christopher Nolan has directed, including all three films in “The Dark Knight” trilogy. In an interview, Caine recalled how Nolan came to offer him the part of Alfred Pennyworth in “Batman Begins” by showing up to his house.
Caine says that he recognized Nolan’s name, as he had made “three brilliant movies, but they were small. And I thought, ‘Oh, this is great. He's going to ask me to be in one of these small movies and it'll be fantastic.’” However, when Caine invited Nolan in for some tea, he found out the offer was for “Batman Begins.”
Caine thought he was too old to play Batman, so he asked Nolan if he wanted him to play the butler and have lines like “Dinner is served,” and “Would you like another glass of wine?” Nolan memorably answered, “‘Michael, the butler was his foster father. His father died and the butler brought him up, so he's very important and it's a very good part. Read the bloody script.’”