Warner Brothers released an official press release today, stating a few interesting casting bits. We’ve known for a while that Tom Hardy (INCEPTION) was cast in Christopher Nolan’s THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, though speculation on what exactly his role was spanned everything from Killer Croc to Dr. Hugo Strange. Today we know… he’s Bane. And right now you’re like “What?!? Bane?? The guy who broke Batman’s back? The guy who was so badly done in BATMAN AND ROBIN?” Yes, that Bane. But that’s not all. Apparently Anne Hathaway has been announced to play Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. Check out the official press release below.
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.
I do like me some Anne Hathaway, and if you’re skeptical she can pull off the sexiness of Selina Kyle, look no further than the HAVOC photo I’ve attached here. Now in all fairness, you’ll notice that press release says “Selina Kyle” and not Catwoman, which leaves us to wonder if she’ll ever actually make the famous transformation. After all, this is Christopher Nolan, and his take on the Caped Crusader has been radically different from what we’re used to so far, and in a refreshing and unexpected way. Then there’s the Bane thing. I love Tom Hardy, and think he could bring an interesting quality to just about any character… but Bane? Seems like such an odd choice. Then again so did Heath Ledger as The Joker. Where is Nolan going with this one? I know the obvious choices would be The Riddler and The Penguin, but maybe going with the outsider characters like Bane could prove a smart thing. One thing is for sure, he can’t screw that character up any worse than Joel Schumacher did in BATMAN AND ROBIN. Tell us you thoughts in the comments. Are you excited about the third Batman movie?
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
It’s starting to sound like SPIDER-MAN 3 to me. Nolan is one of my favorite filmmakers, but I’m completely not excited by today’s press release.
I for one am very excited about this. I am actually hoping that the casting is complete and there isnt any “typical” villain in the film. The third and final chapter should be about the title character and how he deals with it while growing to be Gotham City’s protector. It cant be just another cartoonish bad guy trying to destroy the city again. We’ve seen that all before and I’m hoping Chris Nolan knows it.