The Batman's Young Bruce Wayne Actor Didn't Tell Anyone About His Role
Oscar Novak, who played young Bruce Wayne in The Batman kept his role a secret from his classmates, saying they didn't even know he was an actor. Novak has also appeared as the young version of Alexander Skarsgard's character in Robert Eggers' The Northman, which just opened in theaters on April 22. The Batman marks the screen debut for the 12-year-old performer.
Instead of retelling the character's classic origin story, The Batman picks up in Bruce's second year of crimefighting. However, the reboot still touches on the tragedy that led to him becoming the Caped Crusader. The Batman's Wayne family history is showcased in news reports in the film, featuring a look at a young Bruce with his parents. Even though it wasn't the biggest role, getting to play such an iconic character was a big deal for Novak, though he made sure to keep things a secret.
In an interview with THR, Novak talks about how he had to keep his role hidden from his classmates, and their surprise that he booked such a large movie. He talks about how he kept the role under wraps because he thought it was too much of a hassle to explain to them. He goes on to talk about how a friend spotted him in the trailer for The Northman, showing that he booked two major films in a row. Read Novak's quote below:
They had no clue that I was in The Batman or even an actor. Then I had to go through the whole thing of explaining it to them. So, it’s a little bit awkward but yeah, it’s very cool.
With The Batman becoming the highest-grossing movie of the year so far, and The Northman earning widespread positive reviews, it wouldn't be a surprise if Novak gets the opportunity to appear in more movies. He mentions that the two movies allowed him to get an agent, and now he's auditioning for other projects all the time, leaving him with a lot more to tell his classmates. It will be interesting to see if he's cast in any other high-profile projects in the near future, perhaps even as someone who's not just a younger version of the main character.
Hollywood has a complicated history with child actors, putting adult responsibilities on kids and complicating their time growing up. It's a good sign that Novak is still able to go to school and have friends, and despite the difficulties of his new career, is showing that he can balance work and being a kid. With the door left open for a The Batman 2, perhaps Novak already has a job guaranteed down the line, with flashbacks that show young Bruce Wayne growing into his persona, and steady work is something every actor dreams of.
Source: THR