David James/Warner Bros/D C Comics/Kobal/Shutterstock Batman Beginswas released on June 15, 2005 The film was directed by Christopher Nolan, and startedThe Dark Knighttrilogy The cast included Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Kate Holmes and more It's been 20 years sinceChristian Balefirst donned the cape and cowl inBatman Begins. The 2005 action blockbuster kicked off a new era in superhero movies and revived theBatmancharacter after 1997's comically campyBatman & Robin. Batman Beginswas brought to life by acclaimed directorChristopher Nolan, and it would be the first installment in hisDark Knighttrilogy, which would go on to includeThe Dark KnightandThe Dark Knight Rises. The gritty and realistic take on the iconic DC superhero brought a whole new cast into the grimy world of Gotham City, as they showed new layers and dimensions of the comic book characters. In a July 2022 interview withThe Washington Post, Bale recalled how he was originally met with laughter when describingBatman Beginsduring the early days. "I would [tell people] we're going to sort of do Batman, but take himseriously," said the actor. "I had tons of people laugh at me and just say, 'Well, that's just not going to work at all.' " "It's wonderful to be a part of a trilogy that proved those people wrong," he continued. "I'm not certain if it kickstarted [theMarvel Cinematic Universe] but it certainly helped along the way." To mark 20 years since theBatman Beginsflew into theaters on June 15, 2005, here's what the cast has been up to since the film's release. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Robin L Marshall/Getty Christian Bale played Bruce Wayne, and his superhero alter-ego, Batman. He returned to play the Caped Crusader in the two follow-ups,The Dark KnightandThe Dark Knight Rises. Bale reunited with Nolan for some magic mischief in 2006'sThe Prestige. Bale fought Batman villains, but he also battled Skynet in 2009'sTerminator Salvation.Two years later, he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in David O. Russell'sThe Fighter. Most recently, he was a voice in Hayao Miyazaki's 2023 Oscar-winning animated epic,The Boy and the Heron, and he is currently filming theJohn Madden biopic,Madden, withNicolas Cage. BalemarriedSibi Bale (née Blazic), when the two eloped in Las Vegas in 2000. They later welcomed two kids, a daughter and son. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Dave Benett/Getty Michael Caineportrayed Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler and legal guardian, in all three installments ofThe Dark Knighttrilogy. Caine became a frequent collaborator with Nolan, not only acting in theBatmanmovies, but also inThe Prestige,Inception,Interstellar,DunkirkandTenet. During an October 2023 interview onBBC Radio 4's Todayshow, Caineannouncedhis retirement from acting, following the release of his film,The Great Escaper. "I've figured, I've had a picture where I've played the lead and it's got incredible reviews. The only parts I'm likely to get now are old men," he continued. "And I thought, well I might as well leave with all this — what have I got to do to beat this?" Since 1973, theAlfieactor has been married toShakira Caine(née Baksh). That same year the couple welcomed a daughter. He also has another child, from hisfirst marriage, to Patricia Bailey. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Michael Loccisano/Getty Liam Neesonkept Bruce Wayne on his toes as Henri Ducard, who was revealed to be Batman's mysterious foe, Ra's al Ghul. Since trying to set Gotham City ablaze inBatman Begins, Neeson has become an action hero in his own right. He has starred in the threeTakenmovies, as well asUnknown,The GreyandNon-Stop— just to name a few. Neeson has also flexed his comedic muscles in movies likeA Million Ways to Die in the West,The Lego Movie,Ted 2and theupcoming rebootofThe Naked Gun. In July 1994, Neesonmarried Natasha Richardson. The couple were together until the actress' death on March 18, 2009, following a traumatic brain injury she suffered while skiing. They welcomedtwo sonstogether. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Katie Holmesplayed Rachel Dawes, Bruce Wayne's childhood friend, who was there when he first discovered the Batcave. Since befriending Batman, Holmes has had roles inMad Money,Ray Donovan, and played Jackie Kennedy in 2011'sThe KennedysTV mini-series and the 2017 sequel,The Kennedys After Camelot. She has also directed two movies,All We HadandAlone Together. Outside of film and television, Holmes was part of theBroadway revivalof Thornton Wilder'sOur Town. The celebrated production ran from October 2024 to January 2025. From 2006 to 2012, Holmes was married toTom Cruise. They share one child, Suri. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Amy Sussman/Getty Gary Oldmanplayed police officer James "Jim" Gordon, who like Batman, is trying to keep Gotham City's streets safe. In addition to returning for the next two entries inThe Dark Knighttrilogy, Oldman reunited with Nolan a few times, playing President Harry Truman in 2023's blockbuster biopic,Oppenheimer. Oldman also starred inTinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and since 2022, he has played Jackson Lamb in the Apple TV+ espionage seriesSlow Horses. In 2018, he took home the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill inDarkest Hour. Oldman has been married five times, and he has three children.He wedhis current wife, Gisele Schmidt, in August 2017. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; JC Olivera/Getty Cillian Murphyplayed Dr. Jonathan Crane, who is also known as the frightening Scarecrow. Murphy is a frequent collaborator with Nolan, appearing inThe Dark Knightmovies, as well asInception,DunkirkandOppenheimer, for which he won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Actor. From 2013 to 2022, Murphy starred inPeaky Blindersfor six seasons. He will be reprising his role of Tommy Shelby for the upcomingPeaky Blindersmovie,The Immortal Man. In 2004, Murphy marriedYvonne McGuinness, a classically trained visual artist. The pair have two sons. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Mike Marsland/WireImag Tom Wilkinson portrayed crime lord Carmine Falcone. Following his time in Gotham City, Wilkinson starred in a variety of critically acclaimed movies likeMichael Clayton,The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,Belle,The Grand Budapest HotelandSelma. Wilkinson diedat his home in London on Dec. 30, 2023, at the age of 75. His final role was in the 2023 television series,The Full Monty, playing Gerald, the role he originated in the 1997 movie. Wilkinson is survived by his wife, fellow actor Diana Hardcastle, and their two kids. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Presley Ann/Getty Morgan Freemanportrayed Lucius Fox, Bruce Wayne's close confidant who supplies him with gadgets and tech for Batman to use. After playing Lucius inBatman Begins, Freeman reprised his role of God inEvan Almighty, and appeared inThe Bucket List,Invictus,RedandLucy. The actor continued his action streak with theHas Fallentrilogy:Olympus Has Fallen,London Has FallenandAngel Has Fallen. Freeman also played Thaddeus Bradley inNow You See Me,Now You See Me 2and will reprise his role in the upcoming third film,Now You See Me: Now You Don't. Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection ; Paras Griffin/Getty Ken Watanabeplayed a decoy, someone pretending to be Ra's al Ghul inBatman Begins. Following his turn in the superhero origin film, Watanabe starred inLetters From Iwo Jima,Inception,Godzilla,Isle of Dogs,Pokémon: Detective PikachuandThe Creator. The Oscar-nominated actor was also one of the stars of the Max original series,Tokyo Vice, which ran from 2022 to 2024. Read the original article onPeople