It's Official: Anne Hathaway is Catwoman and Tom Hardy is Bane
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A beauty and a brute to bedevil Batman in the Dark Knight Rises.
Anne Hathaway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy as Bane in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES? Wow… after months-upon-years of speculation and all the possibilities thrown out there, I never could’ve guessed those choices of villains and their respective actors, but Deadline says it’s all official.
Read Warner Bros’ official press release below. You can’t fake this…
BURBANK, CA, January 19, 2011 – Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” She will be starring alongside Christian Bale, who returns in the title role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. Christopher Nolan stated, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story.” In addition, Tom Hardy has been set to play Bane. Nolan said, “I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman’s most formidable enemies.” Nolan will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Nolan will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven. “The Dark Knight Rises” is slated for release on July 20, 2012. The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
Hardy was, of course, cast a few months back into an unnamed role. Fans speculated that it might be Hugo Strange, Killer Croc or even GCPD curmudgeon Harvey Bullock… but they were all wrong. Out of all the villains left in the rogue’s gallery, Bane’s certainly one of the easiest to work into Nolan’s more realistic vision of the Bat-mythos. Venom isn’t too far off from any number of real anabolic steroids, of course. I can totally see Hardy pulling off the interesting duality Bane has as a cerebral brute, and this finally gives the movie Batman a villain who can legitimately kick his ass. == TEASER == Hathaway has shown up in the numerous rounds of actresses rumored to be the new love interest. Fans thought she might be Bruce Wayne’s one-time fiancé Julie Madison or Ra’s al-Ghul’s deadly daughter, Talia… but they were all wrong. I suppose there's some irony in her playing Selina Kyle when she was heavily rumored to play the Black Cat in the unrealized fourth SPIDER-MAN movie.
I’m sure we’ve got some strong opinions in the Comic Vine community. I know they’re both going to have a a hell of hard act to follow with Heath Ledger’s Joker, and I still think there are probably a couple more villains who have yet to be revealed, myself. Thoughts, my friends?
I'm more interested in the action scenes that are possible between having Bane, Catwoman, and Bats all going at it at once. I love the casing and it could really help the move along the way. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because Marvel is dropping the ball on the their upcoming movies
@MysterioMaximus: did you read the original bane storyline Knightfall? if not go read it u will thank difrently besides that i must say that bane has been sevrely underused in comics
@xerox-kitty: I don't see how the two can be separated. It'd be similar to having a movie with Bruce Wayne showing up while Batman is played by someone else.
" I noticed that the press release said she'll be playing Selina Kyle... it doesn't say "Catwoman". Would they be brave enough to have Selina, without Catwoman? "
Probably not. Non-comic book fans wanna see Catwoman, they don't really know 'Selina'
I think I can see Bane as a possible Nolanverse villain. Bane was already a deadly opponent through intelligence and cunning alone, so just replace the super-drug Venom with regular-old steroids and, hey- there ya go.
" Very pleased about the inclusion of Catwoman. Not my ideal casting choice, but not bad at all IMO. She has me more excited than the rumored Black Mask, Deadshot, and Talia all combined. However, I'm not thrilled about Bane. Never did anything for me. Over-all lame character if you ask me. "
How exactly is Bane a lame character ? Explain please. Note: Not being judgmental, only asking your viewpoint. "
That's fine. In my opinion Bane is extremely one-note. I don't hate him, I just don't especially like him either. He doesn't have the psychology or written intellect that other villains offer. In continuity he's a criminal genius, I get that...but from a writers perspective his stories are essentially nothing but basic comic villain motives: he wants to beat Batman to take control of Gotham. That's literally it! What's so special or unique about that? That's a dime a dozen in comic books. That's boring if you ask me. Not to mention, maybe it's because I've watched way too many El Santo movies, but I cannot take a guy in a Lucha Libra mask seriously. Granted I get that that doesn't make sense because I can take a guy with a burlap sack on his head (scarecrow) seriously, but it is what it is. He looks like a glorified Luchador on 'roids. Such a comic book cliche. Finally, I always thought Bane got way more credit than he ever deserved. Yes I've read (and even own) Knightfall. While I do enjoy it for what it is, I don't think it's groundbreaking or all that well written personally. It's a gimmicky story. He gets credit for breaking Bruces back which, admittedly, he did do. What people seem to forget is that his plan involved using the other more iconic and beloved villains to do all the work for him. Bane beat an already beaten down man. Using the other rogues to do his work is a genius plan, I'll confess, but it's one-note dense and simple writing (again basically just about beating Batman and nothing more) and he doesn't deserve the praise he gets for it. He never beat Batman by himself. He needed help, lots, albeit manipulated help. Bane does NOT belong up there with more iconic and significant threats like Joker, Two-Face, and Ra's Al Ghul, nor does he belong in the iconic historic archives of characters like Riddler, Catwoman, Scarecrow, and Penguin. He offers at his best half the psychology of what all these have. So...that's my take. Agree, disagree, but there it is.
I notice people voicing concern over the casting choice of Anne Hathaway, which reminds me of the last Batman flick where people voiced concern over the casting choice of Heath Ledger.
I was one of those people voicing my concern. I've learned my lesson. I'm giving Nolan the benefit of the doubt this time.
" I notice people voicing concern over the casting choice of Anne Hathaway, which reminds me of the last Batman flick where people voiced concern over the casting choice of Heath Ledger. I was one of those people voicing my concern. I've learned my lesson. I'm giving Nolan the benefit of the doubt this time. "
" Very pleased about the inclusion of Catwoman. Not my ideal casting choice, but not bad at all IMO. She has me more excited than the rumored Black Mask, Deadshot, and Talia all combined. However, I'm not thrilled about Bane. Never did anything for me. Over-all lame character if you ask me. "
How exactly is Bane a lame character ? Explain please. Note: Not being judgmental, only asking your viewpoint. "
That's fine. In my opinion Bane is extremely one-note. He doesn't have the psychology or written intellect that other villains offer. In continuity he's a criminal genius, I get that...but from a writers perspective his stories are essentially nothing but basic comic villain motives: he wants to beat Batman. That's literally it! That's boring if you ask me. Not to mention, maybe it's because I've watched way too many El Santo movies, but I cannot take a guy in a Lucha Libra mask seriously. Granted I get that that doesn't make sense because I can take a guy with a burlap sack on his head (scarecrow) seriously, but it is what it is. Finally, I always thought Bane got way more credit than he ever deserved. Yes I've read (and even own) Knightfall. While I do enjoy it for what it is, I don't think it's groundbreaking or all that well written personally. It's a gimmicky story. He gets credit for breaking Bruces back which, admittedly, he did do. What people seem to forget is that his plan involved using the other more iconic and beloved villains to do all the work for him. Bane beat an already beaten down man up. Using the other rogues to do his work is a genius plan, I'll confess, but it's one-note dense and simple writing (again basically just about beating Batman and nothing more) and he doesn't deserve the praise he gets for it. He never beat Batman himself. Bane does NOT belong up there with more iconic and significant threats like Joker, Two-Face, and Ra's Al Ghul, nor does he belong in the iconic historic archives of characters like Riddler, Catwoman, Scarecrow, and Penguin. So...that's my take. Agree, disagree, but there it is. "
All the Batman villains have been disregarded and became their gimmicks Joker in the past few years has been a shell of himself Morrison made him into one of the ultimate Bat villains again. All of them have suffered the same thing in recent years the grea things about the movies is that the theme and personality of the villain is used more it works that way and if you are not a fan of Bane Nolan said it is a new interpretation so it works another way.
If they keep by a faithful representation of Bane as a character, then I definitely think this'll work. I would have liked to see some more obscure characters used, but I've got faith with, the people they cast, they'll pull this off. I'm satisfied.
" Very pleased about the inclusion of Catwoman. Not my ideal casting choice, but not bad at all IMO. She has me more excited than the rumored Black Mask, Deadshot, and Talia all combined. However, I'm not thrilled about Bane. Never did anything for me. Over-all lame character if you ask me. "
How exactly is Bane a lame character ? Explain please. Note: Not being judgmental, only asking your viewpoint. "
That's fine. In my opinion Bane is extremely one-note. He doesn't have the psychology or written intellect that other villains offer. In continuity he's a criminal genius, I get that...but from a writers perspective his stories are essentially nothing but basic comic villain motives: he wants to beat Batman. That's literally it! That's boring if you ask me. Not to mention, maybe it's because I've watched way too many El Santo movies, but I cannot take a guy in a Lucha Libra mask seriously. Granted I get that that doesn't make sense because I can take a guy with a burlap sack on his head (scarecrow) seriously, but it is what it is. Finally, I always thought Bane got way more credit than he ever deserved. Yes I've read (and even own) Knightfall. While I do enjoy it for what it is, I don't think it's groundbreaking or all that well written personally. It's a gimmicky story. He gets credit for breaking Bruces back which, admittedly, he did do. What people seem to forget is that his plan involved using the other more iconic and beloved villains to do all the work for him. Bane beat an already beaten down man up. Using the other rogues to do his work is a genius plan, I'll confess, but it's one-note dense and simple writing (again basically just about beating Batman and nothing more) and he doesn't deserve the praise he gets for it. He never beat Batman himself. Bane does NOT belong up there with more iconic and significant threats like Joker, Two-Face, and Ra's Al Ghul, nor does he belong in the iconic historic archives of characters like Riddler, Catwoman, Scarecrow, and Penguin. So...that's my take. Agree, disagree, but there it is. "
All the Batman villains have been disregarded and became their gimmicks Joker in the past few years has been a shell of himself Morrison made him into one of the ultimate Bat villains again. All of them have suffered the same thing in recent years the grea things about the movies is that the theme and personality of the villain is used more it works that way and if you are not a fan of Bane Nolan said it is a new interpretation so it works another way. "
And I get that. Nolan probably will alter things and make his Bane story more than just about beating Batman. I'm not especially worried, but his inclusion is underwhelming to me. Catwoman is what has me thrilled and she more than makes up for Bane in my eye. And I still hold to the best Bane story being compensatory to a sub-par Joker, Two-Face, Ra's, and a few other different character stories. He just will never offer what many of the other rogues can. For being such an intelligent character, his stories are never all that intelligent.
As much as the Dark Knight killed my interest in this Batman series I'm glad to see Bane as a villain and even better its played by Tom Hardy. As a lot of people have said he was great in Bronson and is generally a damn good actor. Sure the concept of the Bane character sounds silly but he's far more intelligent and dangerous than first appears. Let's not forgot that (even though I can't watch the Dark Knight) Nolan made the Joker a truly formidable and unsettling villain. As for Anne Hathaway as Catwoman; she's beautiful and talented but do we really need Catwoman?
do you guys think that Bane will find out Batman's secret identity and hunt him down??? that would be so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i hope that they film mostly in Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@MysterioMaximus: Appreciate the reply, but disagree with him being a "one note" or "gimmicky" character. Yes, he did use other "iconic" characters to wear Batman down and frankly, it's a more involving story line to have that progression rather than having Villain_01 show up and start fighting, which is the height of boredom for me. The writer of the Knightfall storyline paced the plot well and kept the interest going. To go a step further, the writer infused Bane with the knowledge that once all the criminals were set free upon Gotham, Batman would not, and could never stop chasing after them. It's part of Batman's psychological makeup and the writer used that well. In later years, this theme was revisited during the JLA Tower of Babel storyline where Batman figured out that the best day to defeat Wonder Woman was using the knowledge that she would never stop fighting, no matter the opponent.
ehh hathaway? not my favorite. But i am so happy with the villains catwoman and bane r awesome and tom hardy is awesome. In a perfect world i think hardy would be playing black mask and someone other than hathaway would play catwoman. Still overall this is awesome news, so glad the riddler isnt the villain cuz riddlers kinda gay
" @MysterioMaximus: Appreciate the reply, but disagree with him being a "one note" or "gimmicky" character. Yes, he did use other "iconic" characters to wear Batman down and frankly, it's a more involving story line to have that progression rather than having Villain_01 show up and start fighting, which is the height of boredom for me. The writer of the Knightfall storyline paced the plot well and kept the interest going. To go a step further, the writer infused Bane with the knowledge that once all the criminals were set free upon Gotham, Batman would not, and could never stop chasing after them. It's part of Batman's psychological makeup and the writer used that well. In later years, this theme was revisited during the JLA Tower of Babel storyline where Batman figured out that the best day to defeat Wonder Woman was using the knowledge that she would never stop fighting, no matter the opponent. All in all, I appreciate your response. Cheers "
Cheers! I can certainly give him his due, I don't hate him by any means, plus admittedly when you put Knightfall that way, it makes me want to go back and re-read and reassess. I never quite viewed it with that perceptive. All and all it's nice to have a friendly debate. =]
Actually, the decision to select Bane as the villain for The Dark Knight Rises makes sense, especially if you consider the following plot point: An angry, long-suffered man of formidable intellect and physique discovers the existence of Batman while in a South American prison. Considering the new vigilante as a potential adversary, the man resolves to travel to Gotham in order to properly challenge and defeat him. A brash and homicidal behemoth under the guise of luchadore could direct public sympathies back to Batman. That is, at least before his death.
Although it remains to be seen whether Bane will act alone, or as the agent (read: Ubu) of Talia al Ghul
@MysterioMaximus: Friendly debates are the spice of life, and sorely lacking in my opinion. Yeah, definitely re read Knightfall with that viewpoint and let me know what you think.
@Tom Pinchuk: hey i created a thread for this same thing unknowingly that you already had. Im not sure if you can but just letting you know so you can lock or delete it. Thanks and sorry.
I love the choice for Anne Hathaway for Selina. I thin she will do a good job.
Between this picture, her acting, and her attitude in some parts i've seen her in i have full faith she can pull it off.
If Hardy gets this ripped or more for the part i think they will be ok, i dont know how well he acts and im not sure how i feel about Bane being in it and not Breaking Batmans back (just a guess on the last part) and no Dick Grayson
Ive never been a huge fan of Anne Hathaway but I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt since she'll be under Nolan's direction. Also this movie will be super lame if we actually see catwoman, she should only be Selina Kyle. She should be the love interest that happens to also be a criminal, and not a villian.
Tom Hardy as Bane is perfect, as long as Bane is as smart as he is in the comics. Also to keep with the theme of the Nolanverse he proabaly will be a buff, smart guy thats on steroids, not some giant behometh with tubes sticking out of him. Well i can hope anyway.
So thats one villian and one love interest, the first two movies had two villians and one minor villian so im sure will have at least one more villian. Im excited.
Everyone who is reluctant about these choices was reluctant about Ledger... also... I hope there's no Robin (from someone that mentioned that they'd like to see who they've cast as Dick Grayson). A Batman universe without Robin is the best Batverse there is (in films, that is.)
well, I'm pretty happy about the casting Anne Hathaway is a really talented actor and I'm sure she can do something great if given the right script but I am a little worried about how the characters are going to be portrayed in the story I hope they make it seem realistic enough that it holds up to Nolan's other entries it can't start getting all cuckoo crazy technicolor nightmare now
I'm just hoping that Bane won't be treated as just a brute henchmen like he was to Poison Ivy in Batman and Robin. Considering how epic he was when he broke Batman's back (Even better when Jean-Paul Valley was Batman) but Bane does not need to be another villainess's minion.
they jsut had to ruin it w/ (over-rated) Anne Hathaway, once again I lose respect for Batman. hey while we're at it lets cast michael cera as robin and tom cruise as the riddler ya know just cause theyre big names and no one seems to care about how to make a movie and all's they really care about is $$$ w/ big name actors
@mr_faraday: Well they were looking for two women so im still guessing the next woman will be Talia. Who else could the other woman be? I dont see them having Selina and Vicki Vale in the same movie. I think its unlikely but what if they put huntress in it. Valconi families daughter or cousin or whatever?
@omertalvendetta said:
"Everyone who is reluctant about these choices was reluctant about Ledger... also... I hope there's no Robin (from someone that mentioned that they'd like to see who they've cast as Dick Grayson). A Batman universe without Robin is the best Batverse there is (in films, that is.) "
I loved the idea of Ledger as the Joker as soon as it was confirmed. also i hope robin is in it. I honestly believe it can be done without making the movie dumb, goofy, or unlike the prior two.
@ld12278 said:
"I'm just hoping that Bane won't be treated as just a brute henchmen like he was to Poison Ivy in Batman and Robin. Considering how epic he was when he broke Batman's back (Even better when Jean-Paul Valley was Batman) but Bane does not need to be another villainess's minion. "
it's just me but i dont see him breaking Batmans back unfortunately. I would say i hope they free all the prisoners from Arkhem but that was done in the first one. I guess it could work in this one too.
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