Jeremy Irons Discusses Why His Alfred Is Perfect for Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne/Batman in 'BvS'

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be introducing a new Bruce Wayne in Ben Affleck, and it would make sense that there should also be a brand new Alfred Pennyworth. Luckily, Jeremy Irons has been cast to take over the role, which he claims is the best Alfred to Affleck's Batman!

In an interview with Comic Book Resources, Irons admitted he researched the other Alfreds, especially Michael Caine's incarnation featured in Christopher Nolan's recent Batman trilogy.

"I looked and I thought he was wonderful, but I thought he was Michael Caine. I thought, 'Well, my Alfred is going to be different from his,'" Irons said before revealing that director Zack Snyder also wanted a new kind of Alfred for his Batman.

"Zack's ideas were very different, so I came to it, really, as a virgin piece of paper, to listen to Zack's ideas and [screenwriter] Chris Terrio's ideas and to create a character, just as the new Batman has differences," he said, adding that fans will hopefully see his Alfred as the right sidekick for Batffleck.

"I hope I created a character who was surprising and interesting, and who made a lot of sense to me, as the sort of person who Bruce Wayne -- Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne -- would want to have at his side," Irons said.

In addition to taking ideas from Snyder and Terrio, Irons also considered what kind of person Bruce's parents would get to watch their son.

"So who would you make his tutor, his guardian? You'd employ somebody who had as much all-around experience on defensive matters, on matters of morality, cooking prowess, the sort of man who would get on with his young guardian-ee, and that is the man that I tried to make Alfred," he stated. "The ideal person they would employ."

It certainly sounds like Irons knows what his version of Alfred is all about, with his dry one-liners that he directs at Bruce, especially in the BvS final trailer. But when it comes to those sardonic zingers, the actor was quick to credit Terrio.

"I'm very fortunate to have Chris Terrio writing," Irons said, adding he suspects that the screenwriter was happy when he was chosen to play Alfred.

"I think he was pleased when I was cast, because he felt that I could communicate that sort of ironic humor. I mean, I'm very comfortable in that area," he admitted. "I think it's very important to have humor in any situation, any film, and Chris wrote me some really nice little lines."

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice premieres on March 25.