Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine has agreed to play the role of butler Alfred in the fifth installment of the "Batman" series, Variety reports.

He joins Christian Bale, who was cast as the Caped Crusader in September.

"Memento" director Christopher Nolan will head up next year's shoot, aiming for a 2005 release.

Caine is also expected to reprise his role in the sequel to the 2000 romantic comedy "Miss Congeniality" with Sandra Bullock, announced in October.

He'll next appear in Norman Jewison's thriller "The Statement," opening in limited release next month.


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