INTERVIEW JEREMY IRONS
bio Born in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, Jeremy Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969 before moving to film in 1980. In 1981, he was nominated by BAFTA for a Best Actor award for his first major film role in The French Lieutenant’s Woman. In 1991, he won an Oscar for Best Actor in Reversal of Fortune. Irons’ career has expanded across various iconic films over the years, including Die Hard with a Vengeance, HighRise, and Assassin’s Creed. His first appearance as Alfred Pennyworth was in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
JEREMY IRONS Alfred PENNYWORTH Alfred has always been there for Bruce Wayne and Batman – but how will that dynamic change when the Dark Knight gets a whole new group of costumed friends? Actor Jeremy Irons discusses Alfred’s new challenges in Justice League… Justice League Collector’s Edition: What is the essence of the Justice League story from Alfred’s perspective? Jeremy Irons: It’s about Alfred’s boss, Bruce Wayne, trying to get a team together to fight what he has to fight. Alfred and Bruce haven’t talked much about it, but Bruce has spent a lot of time trying to pull this team together – this league of heroes. Alfred goes along with it as he thinks Mr Wayne probably knows best, but Alfred is not sure how much of a
86 JUSTICE LEAGUE collector’s edition
team builder or team player Bruce is. Time will tell… When Bruce brings the rest of the team together, does Alfred have that same sense of loyalty to them? Alfred doesn’t know much about them. He just welcomes them into the cave and makes them tea – he had to find extra cups! He thinks the League are a strange lot. Alfred’s role is to take care of Bruce, and Alfred hopes that this team will also take care of Bruce.
What do you think the audience will most like about the Justice League story? I think they will enjoy the fact that we get to meet such interesting and colorful heroes. They will enjoy their quirks – not only in the way they dress, but in what they can do, and how they are in their “hidden life.” They have character, they have individuality, and we’ll get to see what they can do together. And the Batmobile is updated for this film? There are a few updates, yes. A cannon here, some machines there, and of course a rocket launcher in the front. Typical Bruce to remove the co-pilot chair to make room for a large cannon! Alfred keeps busy mechanically and electronically and comes up with the odd thing – the odd surprise – for Bruce. It seems like Batman can only get into a vehicle that opens with the doors swinging upwards...? I think he tends to prefer gull wing doors. It’s something to do with not