Variety is reporting that Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine will be playing the role of Batman's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, in the new Batman film, which director Christopher Nolan (Memento) is preparing for Warner Brothers.  Christian Bale will portray the caped crusader (see 'American Psycho Star Is Next Batman').  According to Variety, David Goyer is putting the finishing touches on the script for the new Batman film, which is slated to start shooting in 2004 for a 2005 release.  Previous rumors had Nolan and Warner Brothers pursuing Anthony Hopkins for the role of Alfred, but given Caine's equal ease in both comic and dramatic scenes, he appears to be, in this case at least, the better choice.