Andy Serkis is in talks to play Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's trustworthy butler, in Matt Reeves's The Batman. Colin Farrell, meanwhile, is being eyed for the role of the infamous Penguin.

Robert Pattinson is on board to play the title role, Zoe Kravitz will play Catwoman, and Paul Dano is set to play the Riddler, according to reports.

In addition to this, Matthew McConaughey is rumoured to be in talks for the role of Harvey Dent aka Two-Face. Aaron Ekhart played the role in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Kinght.

The Penguin, who was previously played by Danny DeVito in Batman Returns, marks Farrell's first comic-book role since playing Bullseye in 2003's Daredevil.

Serkis joins the ranks of Michael Gough, Michael Caine, and Jeremy Irons, who have previously played Alfred. Serkis and Reeves have a strong relationship, going back to their days on Planet of the Apes, in which Reeves directed Serkis. 

Farrell was most recently seen in Dumbo. Serkis, on the other hand, has been tapped to direct Venom 2.

The shoot of the Warner Bros-DC Comics adaptation is expected to begin in early 2020. The Batman is scheduled to hit theatres on June 25, 2021.