Alfred And His Exploding Wind-Up Penguins
It’s surprising that in a trailer that has to sell each of the five main heroes, it’s not one of the supers who steals the Justice League preview. It’s actually Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth. His Alfred was already promising in Batman V Superman, but this trailer teases that Batman’s butler will be the MVP of Justice League, thanks to his sarcastic reactions to this crazy new world he finds himself in.
First, Alfred chats to Batman in the Batcave about the apocalypse-level threat they are facing. “One misses the days when one’s biggest concerns were exploding wind-up penguins,” he quips.
This is, of course, a nod to the Dark Knight’s frequent foe Oswald Cobblepot AKA The Penguin. Another reminder that Ben Affleck’s Batmam is long in the tooth and has had a full career as Gotham’s protector before teaming up with the League. Plus, though they weren’t wind-up, this could also be a callback to the kamikaze penguins from 1992’s Batman Returns.Â
Alfred’s next awesome moment comes when Cyborg hacks into the Batmobile. “Relax, Alfred,” Victor Stone says coolly. “I got this.” Clearly affronted that he has lost control of the car, Alfred – from back in the Batcave – asks “Uh, do I know you?”
