Fans of both A Song of Ice and Fire and Matt Reeves' 2022 film The Batman have unfortunately found themselves in a similar boat for a while. While a sequel was announced shortly after the first film's success, its production was delayed several times. Reeves, much like George R. R. Martin, has developed a tendency to take his time with his writing, which will no doubt result in a stellar script, but not a quick turnaround between films. As such, anyone eagerly awaiting The Batman Part II slowly began to feel the pain of Martin's readers, who have been anticipating The Winds of Winter for fifteen years.
However, The Batman Part II has finally found a release date. It's currently set to come out on October 1, 2027, and as such, the creative team, including the cast, is starting to come together in hopes of filming in late May or June of 2026.
As the new casting choices for The Batman Part II begin to roll in, A Song of Ice and Fire fans may discover another similarity between their fandom and Reeves'. An important role in the DC Comics sequel may be played by an iconic Game of Thrones star.
Charles Dance, Tywin Lannister extraordinaire
English actor Charles Dance has enjoyed a decades long career in film and TV, specializing in bringing his signature style into his countless villain roles, including his iconic antagonists in Last Action Hero and Dracula Untold, among several others. Recently, Dance earned a SAG award nomination for his work in Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein, along with the rest of the cast.
Dance brought his talents to Westeros, playing Tywin Lannister, the patriarch of the wealthiest family in the realm, for four seasons. In a show filled to the brim with terrifying characters, Dance quickly cemented Tywin as the most powerful figure in just about every one of his scenes. He constantly outwits his children, Cersei (Lena Heady), Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), and Tyrion (Peter Dinklage), puts the vicious King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleason) in his place, and his toe-to-toe matches with Lady Olenna Tyrell (Diana Rigg) often prove to be some of the best acted sequences in the entire series.
Dance's Tywin captivated audiences from his first scene in Season 1, Episode 7, "You Win or You Die," in which he skins a stag as his character's introduction, until Tywin's undignified demise on the toilet in Season 4, Episode 10, "The Children." Although he was only a part of the show for about half the series' run, his work remains unforgettable.
Charles Dance's role in The Batman Part II
According to Deadline, Dance is currently in talks to star in The Batman Part II, taking on the role of Christopher Dent. Allegedly, this role was difficult to cast, with Academy Award nominee Stellan Skarsgård, of Sentimental Value and Dune fame, reportedly having turned down the role.
While Christopher Dent is a relatively minor figure in Batman comics, his son, Harvey Dent, a.k.a. Two-Face, to be played by Sebastian Stan in Reeves' film, has become one of the caped crusader's most iconic foes. Despite not appearing in many issues, Christopher's impact on his son bleeds through, with Two-Face's signature coin flipping even originating from his father's abusive tactics. In "Batman Annual 14," the comic in which Harvey Dent first becomes Two-Face, he attempts to kill his father before being thwarted by Batman.
Christopher Dent recently appeared in the 2024 video game Batman: Arkham Shadow. In the game, Bruce Wayne witnesses Christopher's abuse of Harvey, and finds himself on the receiving end as well. Many years later, Christopher mocks his son when he learns that Harvey will be running for District Attorney, eventually leading to Harvey finally standing up to his father, physically attacking him, with Bruce even needing to restrain his friend.
Dance's potential involvement could indicate a change for the character in his big screen adaptation. While Dance could play against type as the lowlife alcoholic version of Christopher from the comics, his casting might signify a different direction for Christopher Dent, perhaps a more Tywin Lannister-like character, someone equally as ruthless and abusive, but still in a position of power and authority. Regardless of how he'd end up playing the character, Dance is certain to steal the show.
To rewatch Dance's take on Tywin, stream Game of Thrones on HBO Max.
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