Andy Serkis still hasn't seen The Batman II script but promises an 'epic' sequel

Andy Serkis has teased his return as Alfred Pennyworth in the long-awaited sequel The Batman: Part II, but admits he still hasn't seen the script.

The highly anticipated sequel starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman will shoot next spring with a scheduled release date of October 2027, five years after the original film.

In that time, Serkis has directed his animated version of George Orwell's Animal Farm and executive produced the upcoming Prime Video drama, The Girlfriend.

Speaking to the Express at the series' premiere, the star revealed he's not amongst the select few who have been lucky enough to read Matt Reeves' script for the superhero blockbuster.

"There's not a lot I can tell you, because there's not a lot I know," he says.

"Other than Matt's obviously finished the script because he posted a picture of the script."

Confirming he himself hasn't seen the finished script, he added: "There's very little I know about it, other than it's epic."

The actor best known for portraying Gollum in The Lord of the Rings franchise was promoting the release of The Girlfriend ahead of its 10th September premiere.

Starring Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright, the series follows two perspectives of a wealthy mother feuding with his son's new girlfriend.

Wright directed the first three episodes, and Serkis said of her work: "To have a vision and maintain that vision whilst being inside such a psychologically complex character, it's a real challenge.

"And she just made it seem effortless. Just remarkable. Her relationship with the crew and DP, the choices she made, all the way down the line was just faultless.

"I really applaud what she's done, both in front and behind the camera, I think it's a remarkable achievement."

Serkis is one of just a few cast members confirmed to be returning to the Batman franchise, alongside Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon and Colin Farrell as the Penguin.

Farrell, however, has read the script, though he is expected to have a minor role as the notorious Gotham City crime lord following his standalone series on HBO from last year.

"I haven't got much to do on it, just a little bit," he recently told Deadline. "I read the script and it's extraordinary."

Production on The Batman: Part II is getting underway as James Gunn's separate DC Universe is building steam with the newly announced Superman follow-up, Man of Tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the upcoming supervillain film Clayface directed by James Watkins from a script by Mike Flanagan is currently shooting in Liverpool, with Tom Rhys Harries portraying Batman's shape-shifting rogue.

The Girlfriend premieres Wednesday, 10th September on Prime Video.