Hold on to your Batarangs, people — we’ve got a gamechanger for the new Batman movie.
Because Christopher Nolan has announced who’s going to play Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. And her name is Anne Hathaway.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway,” Nolan said in a press release posted by the Los Angeles Times, “who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story.”
And if we’re looking for something else ominous, check this out — apparently Tom Hardy will be playing Bane, the juiced-up strongman who successfully broke the Bat. Hardy, who played Eames in Nolan’s last film, Inception, might not be your first pick for the toughest man in the Secret Six, but look at this image from Cinema de Merde, in Hardy’s movie Bronson — that dude can get RIPPED.
At any rate, Rama readers, we got ourselves a villain and… maybe something else. But isn’t that always like Catwoman — to be complicated? What say you, Rama readers? Is the curiosity killing you yet?
January 19th, 2011 at 11:46 am
With Anne you have the looks of a young Julie Newmar and the acting chops to prove she can be a “bad girl” and take the more daring roles.
I’m sure people are already complaining and making haste decisions just like they did with Heath, but I think Nolan can bring out the best in any actor.
I mean, at least it’s not Patience Price, or whatever Halle’s “Catwoman” was named. Here here.
Also, Hardy’s casting came out of left field. This is gonna be something to see.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Purrfect. I couldn’t resist. Seriously, these are excellent choices. And I have no doubt Nolan will bring out the very best in these actors.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
the great thing about Anne Hathaway is that besides being beautiful, she really is a fantastic actress (unlike so many of the current crop of dead-eyed Hollywood debutantes).
and we know Nolan has an eye for talent (minus Mrs. Cruise, who admittedly wasn’t AS BAD as i remembered when i rewatched BB, but still was definitely the weak link in the cast) and an unconventional take on the villains, so i wouldn’t look for his Bane to be that much of a direct translation from the comics aside from the “powers up with drugs” bit.
Interesting that it’s Catwoman in this, since the rumor mill was circling around Talia, which would have been a nice/logical tie back to BB.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
I seriously hope that they are writing a contemporary version of Bane, and not a throwback to his hulking 90′s persona. The enVenomed and overly muscled Bane has been done badly, and done to death. I want them to write Bane as he has appeared in the modern comics for the past ten years…. Strong, vastly intelligent, amoral, and a master strategist.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
There’s still a second female lead to cast, right? One villain and one love interest. Selina Kyle is essentially both, so it depends on how her character is drawn up for the movie. Is the other female character the true villain or the love interest? Either way I’m pleased that Anne Hathaway is Catwoman. And Tom Hardy as Bane should be really cool. Nolan’s “interpretation” of Bane will probably make the character more deeply rooted in real life like the other characters he’s crafted to date. It’s hard to shake the Schumacher image of Bane, but Tom Hardy is awesome and should do justine to Bane.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
How long b/f someone photoshops the catsuit…5, 4, 3, 2 ,1…
I could see a “real world”, Nolan inspired Bane kicking serious bat-butt…
Great casting so far.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
I’ve only seen Ms. Hathaway in Get Smart and Alice and Wonderland. She didn’t strike as being a great actress, but she was good enough as 99. And there is no denying that she is kinda amazingly hot and gorgeous.
I’ve seen Hardy in Inception, where he came close to stealing the film from a great cast, and in the last Next Gen film, but I doubt he wants me to remember he was in that dud. He could be cast as anything, and it would worth seeing.
Catwoman has been on my list of “character I could see Nolan using” from day one. Hard to go wrong with her, even without Anne in the catsuit. I also expect that Nolan will not do sexy just to do sexy.
Bane…well, these days he’s an amazing villain. He wasn’t even that bad in the beginning. But the luchadore mask and the over the top aspects of character make him fairly low on my list of Batvillains for the Nolanverse. Which means that Chris and his brother and whoever else is writing the screenplay must have some really interesting ideas about how to ground Bane.
In all, I am intrigued and looking forward to this film. But it would take a lot to douse my anticipation after the last two Batfilms and Inception. Nolan is just that good.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
I’m guessing Bane will be portrayed as a darker version of Batman. Someone who is willing to take a life. Perhaps even trained by Ra’s Al Ghul like Bruce was. Basically, the anti-Batman. Because the superhero franchise formula dictates that a ‘part 3′ needs to have such a character. See evil Superman in Superman III, Venom in Spider-Man 3, and Dark Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand. Oh, and Batman will probably also struggle with his own dark side, as the heroes did in those films.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Gotta love folks like Simon DelMonte, who give their pseudo-professional opinion having not really seen or known anything about the cast other than a role or two at best.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
And now we know why the Dark Knight Rises
January 19th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
This is exciting – if we can’t have Riddler, I’ll take Bane and Catwoman. I’m already pumped for the showdown between Bale and Hardy. I hope Nolan and Co. explore the “Venom” storyline on the big screen.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Bane should be approached as we was initially in the comics. A ex-soldier/mercenary who comes to town to take Batman down. He’s a great military strategist. Since Batman is now a fugitive, I see Bane coming to the powers that be in Gotham and offering his services to bring Batman to justice.
Catwoman is an obvious choice for Nolan’s “grounded” Bat-verse. I just don’t see Hathaway as playing someone seductive, which is what Catwoman needs to be.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Anne Hathaway is a great choice, she is pretty and has that good girl look, so to flip her into being a sleak and sexy cat burglar will be a huge role for her and i can see her pull it off.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@Steven – Exactly!
I have been wanting Bane to be in the next movie since the end of the last one. It just made sense, with Batman on the run, that they bring in an anti-Batman to bring him down. Very excited about Hardy as Bane!
I’m a little unsure bout Hathaway as Selina though. I’m not even thinking about her acting as much as I am her overexposure, but we’ll see what happens. I do like the idea of Catwoman being in the movie though. I feel that if they are going to do a love interest again, so soon after Rachel’s death, then it makes sense for it to be someone like Selina or Talia; a “non-civilian.”
January 19th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Purrrfect!
I can’t wait to see her tackle this role.
January 19th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
I just don’t care for her. But I’m sure the movie will be OK. I don’t go to see a Batman for the actors anyway.
January 19th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
The press release never actually stated Catwoman, just Selina Kyle which is interesting. But boy would I pay to see her in that cat suit…
January 19th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I see Nolan playing up the whole connection Bane has with Ra’s Al Ghul. I can see them incorporating what happens with Bane after Knightfall into his origin in the movie. Have him show up with a plan, break all the inmates out of Arkham (this allows for some cameos and maybe Mr. Zsaz and Scarecrow can get caught again). Batman who is now in exile is forced back into action and the only person he can trust is Gordon, and Gordon knows he needs the bat and communicates with him in secret. Meanwhile Selina Kyle is pissed off that the crime wave is ruining her prostitution business in the East End, so she makes a bit more cash as a jewel thief. As Catwoman, she eventually ends up as a reluctant partner with Batman to save the day. It is revealed that Bane is working with Talia Al Ghul and the League of Shadows by trying to poison Gotham like her father did, but instead this time its with Venom. Bane, Ra’s chosen successor, becomes addicted to the effects of the drug. All the baddies get rounded up, and it leads to a final showdown with Selina and Talia going at it while Bane and a tired and weakened Batman throw down. Batman saves the day, Gotham realizes he is needed and the movie ends with the bat signal shining in the sky.
If I can think this up, and it sounds as if it could actually work, I am sure that Nolan will think of some great way to use Bane and wrap up the trilogy
January 19th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
At first I thought “too cute and wholesome”, but this pic of Anne has changed my mind. Although she looks like Heide Fleiss in the face here – kinda weird. I agree that she’s a great actress, and should be able to pull off the role. More than anything, I’m surprised that these are the villian choices to end Nolan’s run with Batman; I don’t know if they’re “heavy” enough to complete the series on a huge note. I’m sure he planned on Joker returning, but I thought plan B would be Ras coming back with Talia along as well. Still, all confidence in the world that Nolan will make a great third movie.
January 19th, 2011 at 2:03 pm
@jpooch21
I don’t think they’re going to go with the interpretation of Selena as a pimp in her background moreso her connection to the Falcone family in addition to her cat-burglary. regardless, the speculation of the next movie is going to be fun!
January 19th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
LOL@NeoSamurai. Loving this news and yet I’m on a wait and see mode for most movies, but this has added to my anticipation.:D
January 19th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Bane is a surprise. I fully expected Catwoman to be cast. Great actors for both. I pray Bane is done right. I’m still expecting Hugo Strange and Silver St. Cloud to be in this movie. I’m anxious for more reveals.
January 19th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Excellent choice casting Anne as Selina. Though I can understand the quizzical look, but I think Natalie Portman can play Talia. I think she can pull off borderline psycho.
January 19th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
ya know…with Bane in the mix, it does raise the issue of whether he’s a mastermind or enforcer type. If he’s the enforcer type, the door is open for there to be competition to take out the Bat. This theory becomes stronger if Talia is still the big bad. Could this be a reverse revenge story in the same way TDK was a crime drama?
January 19th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@skyhawk Portman could possibly make a great Talia, but I have a feeling she will be a bit too full of baby to play the part when they start filming.
January 19th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Great casting! Anne Hathaway is an excellent choice and so is Hardy! Very much looking forward to this film!
January 19th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
On Bane: Bane is a great villain if you think of him not as the “Anti-Batman”, but more like an Evil Doc Savage. He trained himself in a prison with experts of crime and built his body up through strength training and pure will power. He’s less the jerk of Prometheus or Wraith and more like an evil genius with the body of a weightlifter.
On Catwoman: I think it will come out that Talia = Catwoman. Anne Hathaway is a wonderful villain and love interest for Batman and I could easily see her pull of a cool heist. And I hope that Nolan has a caper somewhere in the movie, because I’d love to see Catwoman as this person who does a cool Oceans 11-style bank robbery (which is a 180 from the beginning of Batman: Dark Knight where the Joker’s heist is somewhat allegorical and bloody).
For some reason, I now have this picture of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman fighting Scarlet Johansson as Black Widow with Martial Arts Skill on the red Carpet at the Academy Awards next year.
January 19th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
I’m not a fan but I’m trying to convince myself she will work through pictures: http://www.thenerdybird.com/2011/01/convincing-myself-anne-hathaway-can.html
January 19th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Found this image of Anne as Selina looks cool
http://lonerangers.tumblr.com/post/2831046659/ohmygil-kryptongirl-timdrakewayne-hype
January 19th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
Hardy is an inspired choice for Bane.
January 19th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
@jpooch21 D’uho! Right about that, would;ve been cool to write in the script as a way to introduce Damian.
January 19th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Watch Anne Hathaway in the film Havoc.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285175/
It should convince you of her acting chops for the ‘bad girl’ role.
January 19th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Holy crap Batman! I thought Catwoman was supposed to be attractive. I’m sure it won’t affect the story, but its a far cry from the Megan Fox rumors that were coming out. Who knows maybe having three good Batman films in a row is too much to ask.
January 19th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
Tim, are you really suggesting that Megan Fox is more attractive than Anne Hathaway? You’re on drugs.
January 19th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Tim, did you just wanna get a rise outta the posters? That was funny.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:44 pm
There was a plot thread in the first film, that was more or less dropped in the sequel, about the Scarecrow’s fear toxin causing the Arkham inmates and residents of the Narrows to become permanently psychotic. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see this get picked up in Rises with Bane releasing these people into the city as part of an elaborate plan to cause chaos and weaken Batman.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Didn’t Goyer said something about no Catwoman in the plans for the Dark Knight movies? I dunno, this choice feels rather forced and not based on talent but more on bias. I hold back judgement on her acting as the iconic character…but something is rather fishy and that is no pun intended.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
I have a much better picture:
http://blog.randhobart.org.uk/wp-content/gallery/people/tom_hardy-bronson.jpg
Ladies and gentlemen…meet Bane.
Well done, Nolan…well done.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
I’m glad to read other fans are giving the casting of Anne Hathaway a thumbs up but I’m not sure what I’m missing because I’ve enjoyed her in many movies from Devil Wears Prada to Brokeback Mountain and I confidently feel she’s either a very poor casting choice or the direction they’re taking Selina Kyle is far less sexy/seductive/dangerous that we’ve seen her before. My guess is that Selina is going to be a female Bruce Wayne and be more debonair than dangerous. I do feel that Anne doesn’t have the chops to pull off a character as devious as Selina or even as fearless…but at the same time I do trust Nolan because his casting in the past has been so spot on so this all just conflicting for me.
I think I’ll be interested to see the direction they’re taking Selina Kyle since there’s no mention of her being Catwoman. I have a feeling that he’s going to take her down the route of being a sort of Thomas Crowne Affair high class thief and who in Gotham would have more art to steal from than Bruce Wayne. For me I’d rather see and edgy, tough, Selina transform into Catwoman within her story arc in the film but then I don’t see Anne being the right choice.
I hope I”m wrong but I said all along that Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson were both uninspired choices/performances for their roles and many other disagreed…however…I’ve watched them many times since and I still feel I’m 100% right so I’m hoping that with Anne I don’t continue this trend because I want to enjoy her in the film.
January 19th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
I really love the casting of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. She was far and away my first choice for the role when speculation began concerning who would don the catsuit.
Tom Hardy is a terrific actor and a great addition to the movie. My only problem is that I just don’t like the character he is playing. Bane is just a lousy character that doesn’t even qualify as being one of Batman’s second tier villains.
If the filmmakers were looking for an “anti-Batman” as someone mentioned in their post, I would have prefered the Wrath (who is literally “the player on the other side”) or even Batman: Year Two’s the Reaper.
So what happended to Professor Hugo Strange?
January 19th, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Everything Nolan does tends to irritate me and this is no different…
January 20th, 2011 at 12:56 am
I remember how a lot of people reacted with scepticism all around the internet when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker. “Oh, how can the gay cowboy from Brokeback play the Joker??!!” and “Seriously, this dude doesn’t even look like the Joker!!”
And then they were all proven wrong, they were all won over by Heath’s amazing performance. While I don’t believe anybody can top his performance as a bat villain, I believe Tom Hardy will nail down the Bane role – Nolan wouldn’t have cast him if he didn’t have total confidence in him, just like Heath.
And I’m sure Anne Hatheway will be fine – she’s a good actress, not outstanding but good enough. They probaby will give her a short Halle Berry-style haircut to resemble Catwoman’s look in the comics or maybe not. I can picture her as a seductive Selina Kyle. Remember, we don’t know yet how she will look in the movie in terms of clothes, hair, makeup etc. I bet you any money as soon as we see the first pic of her as Selina Kyle and Catwoman, most people will be won over. There’s always a bit of scepticism at the beginning cause nobody is sure how it’s all gonna pan out on screen.
Have faith my fellow bat fans. In Nolan we trust.
January 20th, 2011 at 1:03 am
I doubt Bane will be playing an anti-Batman. He’s probabply gonna be a mercenary/ex-soldier like someone else said, who is suppose to be Batman’s physcial and mental equal in fighting and intelligence. But Bane’s origin/backstory has always slightly paralleled Batman’s, so I’m sure Nolan will be utilizing that themetically to bring Batman’s story full circle and remind him of what he could’ve become after his parents’ death.
January 20th, 2011 at 2:50 am
I would have prefered Charlize Theron as Selina, but hey I’ll be waiting for the final product till I make any judgements…
January 20th, 2011 at 6:43 am
T.K. Mazin the only reason people change their mind about ledger is because he die that it if he didn’t die then people would of see that he basic play the riddler not Joker
January 20th, 2011 at 8:13 am
Michael- That is pure bs. Yes, he did do some “solve me” things. But NOTHING about the character beyond that was Riddler, and people’s respect for the portrayal had NOTHING to do with his death.
January 20th, 2011 at 8:52 am
I like this casting. She looks good and it’s all about acting which she can do. The guy playing Bane was good in Inception but I’m just wondering what he will look like or how they will play him. As super hero movies decline into comedy this may be one of the last serious movies we get.
I want to know who will be cast in the Superman movie though?
http://codecrackx15.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/how-a-superman-movie-should-be-cast/
Lets get Superman coming down the pike because Bale even said this will be his last Batman. We need something to take up the slack!!!
January 20th, 2011 at 10:16 am
EVA GREEN FOR TALIA AL GHUL!!!! DO IT NOLAN!
January 20th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
@Michael
LOL You gotta be kidding me, right? Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker was like the Riddler? Okay, I gotta ask – how on earth was it anything like the Riddler lol?? Have you actually read any Batman comics with the Riddler in them? Are you familiar with the Riddler’s personality in the comics? Because if you were – you would know that the Riddler does not act anything like the way Heath’s Joker did in TDK. Or are you just basing that opinion on… well nothing? Or couldn’t you find any other reason not to like Heath’s Joker? Just curious. Whatever the real reason may be – that is probably the most ridiculous statement I’ve heard about Heath’s Joker.
First of all, The Riddler in the comics doesn’t act crazy on the outside, of course he is insane, but he’s not so loud and proud about it like the Joker is and like the way Heath portrayed him. Ledger’s Joker was very much the Joker from his early appearences (including Denny O’Neil’s revival Joker story: “The Five Way Revenge”) when he was menacing and sinister – he’s lost that aspect of him in the comics nowadays.
And without sounding like I’m being rude or insulting, but for your information – most people were won over by Heath’s Joker when the full TDK trailer had come out, so it was well before the movie was actually released. I remember so many fans on forums being excited after watching the trailer, everybody was waiting in anticipation for Heath’s Joker by then. And then of course Heath’s tragic death came just before the movie’s release – that’s why so many Bat fans were devastated because TDK would be the last time we would see Heath’s Joker ever again in the new Bat franchise (Remember, the Joker was suppose to appear in further sequels too), probably the last time we’ll ever see the Joker on-screen again. Please get your facts straight, Michael. I’m not being nasty or anything. Just saying cause you came across in your post as a bit bull-headed.
Peace.
January 20th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Only 111 Negative Nancies and over a 1,000 Positive Peters. Really do think you people have been brainwashed but I’m still one of the very few bitter about the Ledger decision. Have fun and en-joy! I was satisfied 22 years ago.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:37 pm
No one cares what you think, Sha.
January 21st, 2011 at 12:26 am
I second that.
January 21st, 2011 at 4:31 pm
http://jimmychang83.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d37l5qt
Here’s Anne Hathaway in a Catwoman costume I designed. Its a concept I thought up to fit the Nolan-verse Batman. No shiny leather so cops can see her running around. A mountain climbing harness so she can rapel down buildings. There’s a version without the mask where she has short hair.
January 23rd, 2011 at 1:55 am
http://jimmychang83.deviantart.com/#/d37l5qt
Here’s my idea for Bane.
January 25th, 2011 at 11:53 pm
OH HELL YES!!
January 27th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Drat…I was hoping the Nolans would have gone with the likes of Natalie Portman or Keira Knightley. I really don’t see Hathaway as a good fit for the role but as a fan of the Nolan’s films I’m anxious to see what they do with the Catwoman character. In Nolan we trust!
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