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.
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?
