“Gotham” has found its Bruce Wayne.
Thirteen-year-old David Mazouz has been cast as the preteen Wayne in Fox’s upcoming Batman prequel drama, it was announced Tuesday.
Since “Gotham” focuses on the origin story of Commissioner James Gordon, Mazouz will not play Batman at any point in the series, the studio noted in the announcement.
As the young boy who will eventually become the Caped Crusader, he seeks the guidance and protection of Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and family butler Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee) after the tragic murder of his wealthy parents.
The role marks a return to Fox for Mazouz, who previously played Kiefer Sutherland’s mute son on the drama “Touch” for two seasons.
Filling the final series regular spot in the cast is newcomer Camren Bicondova, who will play a young Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman). The teenage orphan is described as a street thief and skilled pickpocket who is suspicious, unpredictable and dangerous when cornered.
The young stars join the previously announced cast of Donal Logue as Detective Harvey Bullock, Zabryna Guevara as Captain Essen, Erin Richards as Gordon’s fiancee Barbara Kean, Robin Lord Taylor as villain Oswald Cobblepot (aka The Penguin) and Jada Pinkett Smith as The Penguin’s boss Fish Mooney.
The DC Comics-inspired “Gotham” — which focuses both on Gordon’s roots and those of the villains Batman will later face — is from writer/producer Bruno Heller (“The Mentalist”), with Danny Cannon (“CSI,” “Nikita”) directing and producing the pilot. The series is expected to premiere on Fox next season.