Empire’s blowout on BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE continues to bear fruit, with the folks involved with the film offering insightful answers about what we should expect. The magazine spoke to Jeremy Irons, who is taking on the iconic role of Alfred Pennyworth- Bruce Wayne’s most trusted ally. 

Using only a few words, Irons conveys the character’s motivations and how far above-and-beyond the call of duty of your typical butler this version of the character is willing to go.

Tying into Charles Roven’s comments about Wayne being darkened and jaded by a life filled with loss and monsters, Irons points out that he tries to give Master Bruce some much needed perspective. “Alfred has lived longer than Bruce, and so perhaps has a clearer perspective on life,” he says. We’ve seen the trailers, where Alfred pleads with Wayne to think rationally about this feud he’s igniting withSuperman. Ultimately, Alfred is a father figure to Bruce, and it’s a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. “As well as having been in loco parentis to Bruce, his only remit in life is to protect him. And, as those of us who have raised children, let alone Batmen, will know, that is quite a wide remit.“

He also offered these provocative words: “He’s a man who can actually do anything if he has to.“

We’ve been given lots of clues, visual and otherwise, that this will be the most hands-on version of Alfred we’ve ever seen, but that last bit from Irons really crystalizes where he’s coming from. He lives to protect Bruce, who is like his son. Protecting a child is tough enough, but imagine what it takes to protect Batman. It sounds like this Alfred is ready to go to extraordinary lengths to keep Bruce alive, well, and sane. 

We’ll get to see exactly how far he’s willing to go when BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE hits theaters on March 25.

SOURCE: Empire