The Batman trailer has sent Bat-fans into a state of mad excitement, but the reveals don’t stop there.
According to Heroic Hollywood, referencing a Warner Bros. press release, actor Barry Keoghan is set to appear in this hotly-anticipated reboot.
The 27-year-old actor is playing Officer Stanley Merkel from the Gotham City Police Department. Keoghan, a born Irishman, is perhaps most famous for starring in Marvel’s upcoming Eternals. The aforementioned superhero flick is due for release February 12, 2021 in North America.
At this point, it’s unclear how large Keoghan’s role is in the film. That said, Stanley Merkel had a key role in some of the Batman comics from 1987 to 2000.
First appearing in Batman #405, Sergeant Merkel is Jim Gordon’s partner before being replaced by Detective Sarah Essen. Over the course of the Batman: Year One four-issue event, Merkel is among the police officers chasing down Batman, who, at this point, hasn’t earned the city’s trust. He unfortunately meets an unceremonious end when he is killed by the Hangman in Dark Victory #06.
Given that The Batman, like Year One, takes place during Batman’s early days, it’s fitting they include Merkel who was a notable character during that period of time. In the 2011 animated film based on the story, Merkel is portrayed by voice actor Nick Jameson.
The Batman is set to star Robert Pattinson in the title role, with Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano and Jeffrey Wright in supporting roles. Set in the second year of Batman’s crimefighting career, the movie explores the corruption of Gotham City’s police and how it ties in with Bruce Wayne’s family. Similar story elements were explored in Frank Miller’s Year One.
Are you psyched to see Barry Keoghan play Merkel in The Batman? What did you think of the trailer? Sound off in the comments below!