The casting for the pivotal role of Christopher Dent in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman: Part II” remains unsettled, and quite honestly, has been entertaining to watch unfold, as new reports suggest several high-profile actors have turned it down.
Jeff Sneider is reporting that Robert De Niro was offered the part but declined. Reeves and the studio are reportedly seeking a major star to portray Harvey Dent’s (Sebastian Stan) father, yet the role remains unfilled, making it the last key character in the film still to be announced.
So far, De Niro, Brad Pitt, Stellan Skarsgård, and Daniel Craig have all passed on the opportunity. It seems like the role could go to an actor anywhere between the ages of 60-83 years old.
More recently, rumors circulated about Viggo Mortensen, though these remain unconfirmed. Fans responded enthusiastically to the Mortensen speculation, and I can confirm Viggo has indeed had talks with producers. In fact, he’s probably closest any other actor has been in nabbing this role.
Mortensen, 67, picks and chooses his roles very wisely. In the last seven years, he directed “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” and also starred in David Cronenberg’s “Crimes of the Future,” Ron Howard’s “Thirteen Lives,” and Lisandro Alonso’s “Eureka.”
“The Batman: Part II” is expected to follow an uneasy alliance between Harvey Dent, Commissioner James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright), and Batman/Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) as they work to dismantle a serial killer and the city’s entrenched criminal organizations.
Alongside Pattinson, Wright, and Stan, the confirmed cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis, Paul Dano, and likely Barry Keoghan. Filming is slated to begin May 29 in London.
I actually find that number optimistic. Tickets for “Digger” go on sale next Tuesday, and presales will give us a better picture of how bad it’s looking.