Batman adaptations will continue until morale improves! But seriously, jokes aside, there’s a lot to be excited for when it comes to Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Understandably, Reeves is keeping the plot pretty close to the vest. With that in mind, we can still take some time and break down the who’s who of Gotham City and what we hope to see out of the cast when theaters open up and we can finally check this baby out.

Batman (Robert Pattinson)

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Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Only seems appropriate that we kick things off with the man, the myth, the legend – Bruce Wayne. You know, the original genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist to don a super suit. You’ve likely watched his mother’s pearls bounce of thirty different kinds of pavement, so we’re not going to spend a whole lot of time on his origin here. Parents died a tragic death, kid kinda blames himself, eventually decides to become a symbol for his city. There’s some training by some ninja jerks in there, but we’re about to see his story unfold again, so let’s leave the rest up to “surprise”.

Though many of us have seen our fill of versions of the Caped Crusader, I have high hopes that we’ll see something new from Reeve’s adaptation of The Bat. Robert Pattinson has proved himself as an exceptional actor again and again, and it’s my hope that we see him tackle a more empathetic version of the Batman than what we’ve seen in recent on-screen depictions. He’s always been the guy to break a kneecap when it’s necessary, but there was a time when he understood that many of the criminals of Gotham were often sick and needed help. Let’s get back to that Bat.

The Penguin (Colin Farrell)

Image via Warner Bros.

Oswald Cobblepot has been a staple of Gotham’s crime scene for decades. Purveyor of the Iceberg Lounge, noted art thief, The Gentleman of Crime, and occasional political pundit – the character’s really been through it all. Folks had some things to say over the idea of a hot Penguin when Colin Farrell was cast in the role, but I’m infinitely more interested in what level of weird the actor can bring to this layered baddie. He seems to enjoy adding a level of quirk to his characters, and I think The Penguin is a great fit for his next adventure. Looking forward to levels of diabolical smarm and the exact right amount of criminal know-how in the coming film.

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Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz)

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Image via Warner Bros.

Selina Kyle has always been one of the most complicated members of the Bat Family. Is she a villain? Is she a hero? Does she love Bruce? Does she want to kill Bruce? The answers to all of these questions honestly changes from day to day and issue to issue if we’re being honest. She can be a fickle thing when it suits her, and what could possibly be more appropriate for a cat? The cat burglar softens a bit as time progresses, but since we’re starting things off in the beginning it’s likely that we’ll see a pretty embittered Selina with a rapier for a tongue. Zoe Kravitz has the precise level of sass and wit needed of this character, and I really can’t wait to watch her eat Bruce Wayne for breakfast.

Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis)

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Image via Marvel Studios

There are a lot of levels to Alfred Pennyworth. What we see on the surface is a loyal servant and father figure to Bruce. A kind man who can put anyone out of line back in their place with a single clipped-yet-polite remark. Under all of that kindness and wisdom is a man who’s seen some things (depending on which canon you’re reading on the given day). As a former actor and soldier, he proves himself as an invaluable member of the Bat Family. Andy Serkis has always been able to play haunted like no other, which would be lovely to see balanced with the kind and complicated father figure of The Bat.

The Riddler (Paul Dano)

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Image via Warner Bros.

Though you may know him as Edward Nygma, Gotham’s Riddler started off as Edward Nashton. Ed’s always been a clever, albeit complicated boy, and his descent into the Riddler persona has changed about as often as any other character who’s been listed here. No matter which option Reeves’ chooses, the character should remain deeply smart and agonizingly fixated on puzzles. It’s been noted that we’ll get a little bit more of a detective story this go around, so hopefully we’ll get a chance to see Batman truly challenged by one of his more conventionally smart nemeses. Though I admittedly haven’t seen much of Paul Dano’s career, I’m interested to see what kind of balance he can bring to the riddle-obsessed villain.

RELATED: 'The Batman': Matt Reeves Explains How Catwoman, Penguin, and The Riddler Factor Into the Plot

James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright)

Image via Warner Bros.

Considering what we’ve assumed about the film’s timeline, it seems likely that we’ll see the well-known Commissioner Gordon early on in his detective days. Gordon’s always had a complicated relationship with Batman, and one of my biggest hopes for Reeves’ script is that we see it lay that foundation. A younger Gordon likely means a less jaded one. Him starting with faith in the Caped Crusader and having that faith betrayed reads as a complex narrative that I think could really add another layer to a story that’s rockin’ quite a few big bads.

Carmine Falcone (John Turturro)

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Image via HBO

Gotta be honest here – I never would have pegged John Turturro as Gotham’s leading crime lord. That being said, I get more delighted the longer I think about it. Carmine Falcone is the type of man who believes in a code. He’s that old school kind of mobster. That code is what separates him from the rest of Batman’s rogue’s gallery. It’s also what often makes him more dangerous. Unlike the rest of his villainous counterparts, Falcone’s completely sane. Even worse, he knows how to navigate the system.

Though things will start of early in the city’s history as far as Batman is concerned, it’s likely we’ll kick things off with Falcone already having half of Gotham in his pocket. I can’t wait to see Turturro play with that.

Suffice to say that, though we’ve had a large amount of media revolving around the Caped Crusader over the years, there’s still a lot to be excited about from Matt Reeves’ film. The casting alone is fresh and unexpected, and it seems likely that the story will follow suit. No matter how things shake out in the film, it’ll at least be fun to see how this cast manages to play off one another on the streets of Gotham.

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