Batman V Superman: Ranking The Performances From Worst To Best

2. Jeremy Irons - Alfred Pennyworth

In taking over from the great Michael Caine as Bruce Wayne's loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth, fellow Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons had rather large boots to fill. And whilst Irons doesn't get as much screen time as Caine did, nor does he play as "important" a character, he's very nearly the best thing in Batman v Superman. Despite his excellent delivery and natural charisma, we don't get a sense of the history that this particular Alfred shares with Bruce, nor is anything about his past acknowledged in the same way that it was with Caine's Alfred (remember how great it was when he told that story about the jewel thief in Burma and you realised Alfred used to be a badass?). These are faults in the script, however, and given that this is an article about the performances in Batman v Superman, it must be said that Irons nails it: he's a wonderful, modern day Alfred - dry, intelligent and actually kind of cool. Even though the writers don't give him much great material, Irons elevates his character regardless, suggesting a rich and interesting past... and a hint, maybe, that he's the true mastermind behind Batman. Heck, maybe they should've just made a movie about Alfred.