In addition to Hathaway's casting, the Times also reveals that Tom Hardy will play Bane, and not Hugo Strange, as widely rumored.
All of this nerd fuel comes via press release:
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.
We're still waiting to hear how the rumors regarding Eva Green as Talia Al Ghul pans out, as well as Naomi Watts in the role of a potential love interest for Bruce Wayne. There's still a chance Talia could be in the movie.
In The Dark Knight Rises, Anne Hathaway Is Catwoman" Tom Hardy Is BaneAnne Hathaway will be Catwoman in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, And no word yet on how closely Nolan's take on the Bane character will mirror comic book version, which had Bane as the Venom-fueled brute who broke Batman's back. (We can only hope Hardy's Bane will do the character as much justice as Schumacher did in Batman & Robin. *slide whistle*)
And as for Selina Kyle's role in TDKR, IGN reported recently that Nolan's story will find Catwoman filling the void left by a fugitive Batman, with her vigilante activity prompting Batman's return.
Use the rest of your day to take up considerable space in our Comments Section regarding these two announcements, and IGN Movies will keep you updated as more news comes from Nolan's vault. What do you think?
