It goes without saying that the recent confirmations of Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway's roles in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES have gotten the whole internet a’talking. I figured the time was right to go into a little more in-depth analysis 'n speculation about what their involvement might mean and how Bane and Catwoman could figure in to this Bat-finale.           

BANE 

Part of the M.O. of the series so far has been to portray characters in ways closer to the comics than the movies have allowed in the past. Hence, we’ve seen a Bruce Wayne who’s an intentionally buffoonish persona, a seriously embittered Two-Face and a legitimately scary Joker. In BATMAN & ROBIN, Bane was a monosyllabic brute who did Poison Ivy’s dirty work - - a gross simplification of the cerebral and articulate brute who was cunning enough to deduce Batman’s secret identity on his own. 

Whereas the previous villains have struck at Batman’s loved ones and psyche, Bane’s the first who’s a very legitimate physical threat. I don’t think he’s going to be a Hulk-like monster who gets absurdly muscular with the twist of a valve. Rather, I see him as a roided-up-but-calculated killer who’s got an arsenal of grappling moves (think more Vale Tudo than pro-wrestling) in addition to the usual choice of knives and guns.

Anybody who doubts if Tom Hardy’s big enough for the part needs to look at the pic to the right. Do you honestly still have doubts? Hardy played a very Bane-like role already as the UK career-convict in BRONSON. Aside from the possibility of a nondescript South American accent, I don't see this being much of a jump from that part.

CATWOMAN

Once again, I was a little disappointed to see them use a villainess who’s already shown up in a number of movies (and Michelle Pfeiffer’s sexually-charged dominatrix act is hard one to follow.) I think there’s more to it, now, though. Escalation’s the dominant theme of this new franchise and if Batman’s villains are ramping up in power and theatricality, it follows that his girlfriends would follow suit. The point of Rachel Dawes’ arc was that she, as a normal woman, couldn’t handle Batman’s lifestyle - - both emotionally and literally.  She ultimately rejected Bruce because she needed a normal man and ultimately perished for her involvement in this world of psychopaths. Catwoman, for one, wouldn’t be a girl who’d get kidnapped by third-rate crooked cops and, rather than being turned-off by a brooding vigilante, she’d probably be further enticed.

OTHER VILLAINS? 

Tom Pinchuk’s the writer of  HYBRID BASTARDS!  &  UNIMAGINABLE . Order them on Amazon   here  &   here .  Follow him on Twitter:  @tompinchuk

I can't wait to see how they handle Bane, I'm sure he will be well done considering how awesome Nolan has done on the past 2 films. I kinda hope that Bane breaks Batman's back at some point. It's a shame that this is Nolan's last Batman film (maybe not? we'll see...).

Im looking forward to seeing if Anne Hathaway plays just selena or will she play catwoman aswell?

My hopes are high.

Bane done correctly would be a great movie villain.  The only problem is we already saw Bane done wrong.  I think its pretty interesting that the two people who are announced to be the villains, are no longer really villains in the modern comics.  Catwoman was hanging out with Batman Inc, and Bane is doing questionable but mostly good things with the Secret 6.

I think you are definitely right about the Bat hunt that is coming in Dark Knight Rises.  I was surprised to see Bane as the choice, and I also agree that there will probably be another villain coming in.
 
I actually hadn't caught the "Selena Kyle" casting.  I think what I read had immediately interpreted it as Catwoman.  Wouldn't it kind of make sense to have Catwoman in the movie though?  She's not really a "super" villain.  As for Anne Hathaway for the choice, I don't think we need to worry about her being upstaged by Michelle Pfeiffer.  Hathaway is talented in her own right, and look at the Nolan/Ledger joker.  On that announcement, weren't you worried he wouldn't stand toe-to-toe with Jack Nicholson?
 
I'm excited to see how it shapes up from here.

Well I've been hoping for Bane for awhile, and just for anyone that does doubt the reality oof such a character let me assure you that  there are actual people in prisons across not only American but other countries as well, who do nothing but exercise and who can power lift around 600 pounds! 
http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance_investigative/training_behind_bars_i
^
Think about one of those guys on steroids! 
My only problem with Bane being in this movie is I'm afraid they're going to make him a lot smarter than he needs to be. Don't get me wrong I don't want Batman and Robin dumb but I just think that Knightfall smart was unnecessary. I like how his intelligence was portrayed in the animated series.

I think Anne Hathaway will be seriously good in this film, it would be a good change for her IMO 
 
I personally would rather of seen a better version of Poison Ivy in this film but oh well, Catwoman was a close second for me.

Yay for Sarah! And at least Catwoman gets a redemption from the halle berry film..................*shudder*
 
And I hope Vicki Vale's in it (not as anything important), but just as a budding reporter desperate to find out Batman's identity, which Bane uses ;)

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo! I so much wanted to see Doctor Hurt as Bruce's Father in this film =\\\\\\

Lockdown in batman 3. You heard it first

@GraveSP, i share your sentiment. Both of them are anti-heroes now so to speak with Selina really trying her best to be on the better side of the law (while still being a thief)..  
  
I was skeptical of all previous castings (Heath for Joker, Liam as Ducard / Ra's) for the villains so I will stand down and believe in Nolan's vision for these two. I do hope that Hathaway will prove to be the best actress amongst the three actresses to be in the trilogy.  
 
Bane will be very interesting, as I have read that Hardy is a good 2 inches shorter than Bale, their physical confrontation will be a real centerpiece for the film if they can pull it off masterfully... and i can already envision Batman fighting without his mask (as Bane does know Bruce's identity) with it being ripped off during a fight with Bane or whatnot.  
 
For Catwoman.. or Selina, I have a feeling we'll get to see her in costume, maybe even playing the "hero" role while Batman is lying low from the cops.  
 
Either way, this will be the end of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and like Return Of The King.. pull out all the stops for this one my good sir.. This.Is.Our.Oscar.Moment.

Great article. Tom, you've really nailed down what I've been thinking since the announcement of the Hathaway and Hardy as Kyle and Bane. I couldn't agree with you more, even though it's all speculation. 

I still think Black Mask would of been a better choice.

Guessing it will be the origin of both Bane and Catwoman.  Perhaps, Selene only becoming Catwoman at the end of the movie.

I predict bane will hunt down Batman (who is an outlaw after the end of Dark Knight), and Catwoman will have something to do with stealing from Bruce Wayne possibly.

What will Bane and Catwoman do in The Dark Knight Rises? 
 
Thinking back to Ras Al Ghul, Batman's origin and parts of the Joker, I'm guessing they will be ruined by Nolan. More so Bane than Catwoman. Bane won't fit into his "realistic" telling.  

Nice casting and villains, I must say.

I just hope the remember the core of Bane; Dark Doc Savage.  He should be a genius, and shown to be a genius.  He should be the physical apex of humanity, and shown to be so.  And Batman should know he's been in a fight.

" @Pokeysteve: I'll grant you Ra's could have had Lazarus Pits and been no less believable than that microwave emitter thing, but I didn't see it as ruining him, as the misdirection aspect of multiple "demon's heads" was a nice twist.  The Joker I felt was straight out of the comics in a big way.  True, he wasn't dropped in a vat at any point, but regardless of how he got there, he WAS the Joker.  I think Bane's raised in prison, wants to be king of the world origin work perfectly in the Nolan milieu and will be surprised if the deviate from it. "

" @Pokeysteve:  really? I actually really like the liscense he took with the characters in the last 2 movies I usually hate the way a writer/director needlessly tweeks a comic to make it "his/het own" but Nolan (I thought) did a nice job of making it all seem new and making it fit into a movie setting without making it less than what the original was "

I see this new more realistic bane carrying syringe/cartridges of Venom and must periodically injecting himself rather than a series of tubes, a container, and a dial.

I am pretty satisfied with the final results of the villains and the casting because for a while I was worried Keira Knightley would be Talia or something horrific like that.

Chris Nolan must let a woman in on the action, I swear if they make Selina a "lady of the night" like in Year One I will be more disappointed than words can express. What Catwoman has always represented, what Kane intended her to represent, and what she has stood for recently especially is to be a mirror image of Bruce Wayne, a foil, a love interest, and  formidable opponent all in one. She's an orphan like Bruce but her life took an entirely different path because of poverty and a lack of support, it's something that MUST be explored far before the animal noises or sexy costumes or innuendo (though I did like Michelle Pffiefer as her, I don't trust another to treat her as well).
 
And I know Nolan's action has been male-centric mostly but please LET HER KICK ARSE.  
 
Bane is troublesome for me, he's yet another dolt who looks like he should be with WWE but I imagine Nolan will have him play more of a steroid junkie mercenary which may actually provide some interesting story telling.

"Not all that impressed really, since this will be the final film they need someone SERIOUS, the 1st had Ra's Al Ghul and the 2nd had the Joker. Both are Bat's most fearsome and toughest foes. I get Bane being the muscle for somebody but come on this film needs to top the 2nd if that even possible. Stop playing it safe and start acting that crazy bastard we all know you are Chris Nolan. Throw in Black Mask or Hugo Strange, hell even bringing back Scarecrow would be a delight "

" @mathematicscore said:

" @Pokeysteve: I'll grant you Ra's could have had Lazarus Pits and been no less believable than that microwave emitter thing, but I didn't see it as ruining him, as the misdirection aspect of multiple "demon's heads" was a nice twist.  The Joker I felt was straight out of the comics in a big way.  True, he wasn't dropped in a vat at any point, but regardless of how he got there, he WAS the Joker.  I think Bane's raised in prison, wants to be king of the world origin work perfectly in the Nolan milieu and will be surprised if the deviate from it. "

It was more the immortal thing than the pit which I guess they would have to work in as well. Ras is an excellent villain and Nolan took that away by making him a plain old eco terrorist instead of an immortal one. The Joker had parts of him that were right out of the comics but for the most part he was just an anarchy crazed thug. No Lazarus Pit, no chemicals and no Joker toxin leads me to believe there will be no Bane Venom which is a huge part of his character.  Batman was the worst though. Nolan's Batman is NOT "The World's Greatest Detective" and that's not up for debate. 
 
@Shadowdoggy said:

" @Pokeysteve:  really? I actually really like the liscense he took with the characters in the last 2 movies I usually hate the way a writer/director needlessly tweeks a comic to make it "his/het own" but Nolan (I thought) did a nice job of making it all seem new and making it fit into a movie setting without making it less than what the original was "

I always disagree with people about Nolan's take. His tweek was taking comic book elements out of a comic book movie and for me it just wasn't working. Whenever talking about The Dark Knight I classify it as an amazing movie but a failure of a comic book movie.  "

Bane will probably disappoint and Catwoman probably won't make an appearance.

*Sigh* I love Bane...

Selena: Listen, he tries to intimidate. Make you think he's supernatural, unbeatable-- don't fall for it. His armor is soft on the sides for mobility. Also, he won't kill. He won't go for the face in ways that disfigure. Protects his own face. Doesn't do humiliating moves. Ues his own incredibly gadgety equipment. Uses the cape to confuse. Rarely leverages his surroundings. Good at single moves to knock you unconscious, so watch out. And never use a gun on him, it really sets him off. 

"I still think Black Mask would of been a better choice. "

" My hopes are high. "

" Nice casting and villains, I must say. "

Hardy's dope and I think he'll pull off Bane nicely. I'm sure Nolan will also give Bane a proper Characterization. Selina Kyle being in it I can take or leave, much as I love Hathaway. What I really want to see is Thalia Al Ghul. 

 LOOOOL I SWEARDOWN Nolans reading my ComicVine comments... Hes gotta be, I remember when they announced hardy...&EVERY TOM DICK &HARDY was yappin on bout wether hed play Riddler Dr Hurt or even (god forbid)Stephen Strange ((o__o)) shudder....  I threw out the more REALISTIC &IMO suitable idea.. That BANE would be the IDEAL guy not only top push an already war weary, disillusioned..hunted, haunted batman.. Not only would he be the Epitome of all the physical/mental aspects that make Batman unconquerable.. But he'd also have the edge of  genetic/ultra-anabolic enhancements.. coupled with the fact hes also a devious survival of the fittest thrives on conflict type mastermind... It would make for an EPIC cinematic matchup worthy of the previous films rivalry with "The Nihilistic Mr Napier" if donr right

As for "CatWoman" the Selina Kyle digress seems plausible &typical of Nolans reality grounded comic realisations.. I expect a "Year One meets Hush"  characterisation.. I envision her startin out &spendin MOST  of movie non costumed.. with fmaybe lashbacks to her 1st encounters with Bruce when he was learnin the ropes around Gotham before he modified his suit.. &havin her follow his "career" all the way to present.. Then after a short stint theivin from gothams richer blue collar criminals (insert theme of the knock on effects of the finanical crisis on gotham here) sumthin thatll probly bring her into conflict with the bat, shell get away &possibly be inluenced by him to fight crime.. in her own way

DAMN Im good

They're both eye candy.