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First Images of Tyler Perry and an Insane Matthew Fox in ALEX CROSSAnne Hathaway Cast as Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman) in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES; Tom Hardy to Play Bane
by Matt Goldberg Posted:January 19th, 2011 at 9:56 am
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Here are two major pieces of The Dark Knight Rises news that you can take to the Gotham City bank. First up, Warner Bros’ has announced that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle. Kyle’s alter-ego is Catwoman, but the press release doesn’t mention the character. They only refer to Hathaway’s role as “Selina Kyle”.
The other major piece of news from the press release is that Tom Hardy will be playing the Batman villain Bane. It was previously rumored that Hardy would be playing villainous psychologist Dr. Hugo Strange. Personally, I think Strange is a more interesting character than Bane, whose claim to fame is that he broke Batman’s back in the comics. Hit the jump to check out the press release. The Dark Knight Rises is due out July 20th.
As we previously reported, The Dark Knight Rises is rumored to have two leading female characters. One was to be a villain and the other was to be a love interest. The character Talia al Ghul was rumored to be in the movie and presumed to be the villain since she’s the daughter of the villain from Batman Begins, Ra’s al Ghul. However, the inclusion of Kyle complicates matters. Catwoman/Selina Kyle works perfectly as both a love interest AND a villain. However, if she doesn’t become Catwoman in the movie, then presumably she stays as the “love interest” and not the villain. But it would be bizarre to try and hold Catwoman for a fourth movie when Nolan has said that he plans to make The Dark Knight Rises his final Batman movie.
As for Bane, I’m surprised a character that super-natural and comic-book-y has made it into Nolan’s grounded-in-reality Gotham City. For those unfamiliar with the character, Bane is hooked up to a chemical known as “Venom” that causes his body to become super-muscular when injected. He also wears (in the comics) a Mexican wrestling mask. Of course, the press release states that this will be a “new interpretation” of Bane.
Here’s the press release:
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.
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Related Links
- New Trailer for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
- New Bane Teaser Poster for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
- THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Minor News Round-Up
- Rumor: Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Play Alberto Falcone in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES?
- Christopher Nolan Considering Weisz, Watts, Lively, Portman, Hathaway, and Knightley for Love Interest OR Villain in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
Sweet. Maybe Bane will break his back early on in the film and Bruce Wayne will have to “Rise” from his injuries. I also wonder if this means a Jean Paul Valley/Azrael character will be included as well.
Hmm. Bane? This is why internet movie rumors are so fucking useless. Everyone had the movie in their head and looked up Prey and Hugo Strange so now watch the backlash. Hopefully, they reinvent Bane to the point where he is nothing like the character most people “like.” Everyone loves Bane. Fuck that.
I wish they would’ve looked up The Hangman. Considering the presence of Harvey Dent in the second Nolan film and Falcone in the first, The Hangman fits perfectly not only in the storyline, but in Nolan’s realistic vision of Batman.
I complete with Chase, If you think on how much the second movie was about “The press” and how much the idea of a guy dressing up as a bat can get I think some one in that world would say…”I could kick that guys ass”. It would be a challenge for a NATURALLY muscular guy who may have a craving to kill Batman.
To clarify, if you’ve seen “Batman Begins” and/or just “The Dark Knight” then The Hangman makes much more sense as the villain of choice for “The Dark Knight Rises” then Bane does. See more about The Hangman and how the villain would fit into the story so far here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangman_%28DC_Comics%29
“The Hangman fits perfectly not only in the storyline, but in Nolan’s realistic vision of Batman.”
Yeah, what does he know about “his” vision?
Dear oh dear………….
The thing is I don’t think she’d be called Catwoman in Nolan’s realistic universe, at least not directly. It might be like that awkward Harvey “Two-Face” Dent dialogue at the hospital in TDK.
Bane? I don’t like it, but I still trust they will make it work.
Well Harvey is more a tragic hero, he didn’t ask to be one of Gotham’s ghouls. Catwoman however is amoung the Gothamites to bask in their weirdness, he whole deal is cats like Batman’s is bats. Besides Scarcrow and Joker were named so I’m sure she will be called Catwoman.
I’m sure she will be more like the comics or Julie Newmar’s, at least I hope.
Nolan Will make Bane fit into his realistic Batman universe
It will be awesome. But Hugo Stange needs to have his day. Bane bowser doesn’t. Like Venom he one of those mucle bound one dimensional 90′s hype villains who stories are so expansive their hard to fit in a film. Killer Croc would of been perfect however, and seems more plausible (he has atavism) and he’s more vicious hence a bigger threat to Gotham Besides isn’t Bane Spainish or Mexican? Besides wouldn’t it be a better challenge to make Clayface plausible?
I have no doubts this will be great but I’m afraid will leave peoples mouths even wetter for another Nolan Batman.
Bane wasn’t a “one dimensional” character. You seem to base you knowledge of Bane on the god awful 1997 Joel Shumacher film “Batman & Robin”. He was very intelligent in the comics, not some mindless brute. The only muscle-bound mindless brute I remember from the Batman comics was the villain Blockbuster.
The Killer Croc seems more plausible?! You think inserting a character who’s half-man half-crocodile into a realistic revision is plausible because he has atavism? That’s like saying Reptile’s backstory in the Mortal Kombat: Rebirth trailer is plausible because he has Harlequin-type ichthyosis even though he’s a Raptor (an extinct fictional race of beings from a fictional dimension).
“mouths wetter”???
Your Killer Croc idea would make the seats wetter
I am sorry but these choices are almost as generic and lame as the Riddler.
Maybe James Cameron can add in some blue aliens for you
Don’t mess with James Cameron!!
BTW I love the casting and character choices. Nolan could very well make me like Anne Hathaway… which I don’t…
Catwoman, Scarecrow, The Joker, Bane….in Batman movies????
What is Nolan thinking??? Yeah, how “lame”………
Catwoman an icon of dark, wild sensuality. She should be edgy, a little crazy and incredibly hot. You’ve got that kind of role to cast & your first thought is Anne Hathaway?!? Really?
Hathaway is pretty and all, but she’s perky lightweight. Whatever sex appeal she has is cute, giggling little girl “sexy.” TOTALLY wrong for this role.
It’s such a pity, because if she handle the aggression of the role, Marion Cotillard would probably make a jaw-droppingly awesome Catwoman.
Hugo Strange & Talia al Ghul would have been much more interesting choices. Also, Anne Hathaway as Catwoman? I have my doubts that she can play anything but sweet and wholesome.
Seriously? Then you haven’t seen Hathaway in “Havoc” (2005).
You’re right, I haven’t. Considering it appears to be about hip-hop and “gangstas,” I absolutely never will.
She’s had her share of silly roles, but she’s capable of turning it on with the right part; she’s is a fine actress. Among her good to great dramatic turns have been in Brokeback Mountain, Havoc, Love and Other Drugs, and Rachel Getting Married. Particularly those last two.
Not a bad idea, Grimcicle. Not surprisingly, Havoc was not a good film. Nonetheless, Hathaway can pull of a mature performance and has broken from her sweet, innocent roles of the past.
I find her limited too.
Her voice is annoying so she should perfectly fit in with the trilogy’s female protagonists.
‘said it’s going to be a better known villain (or previously used who they might reinvent).
Or Rachel Getting Married. Or Love and Other Drugs.
I don’t know why Nolan is making it hard on himself by picking two villains that are especially difficult to capture realistically.
He’s honestly done the same thing in the past two films, I’m pretty sure theirs not villian he can’t tackle.
A lot of people seem to forget that BANE isn’t just some juiced up muscle head. In the comics he is one of the most brilliant masterminds Batman has ever faced, and is one of the few individuals who was able, on his own, to deduce the true identity of Batman.
He (the character) is absolutely perfect for a Nolan Batman film.
Agreed, my misgivings have already been replaced with unequalled excitement.
Nice info.. Im not really a comic guy so I am constantly seeing UMA THURMAN and a Juiced up Luchidor in my head when talking about BANE..
Thank you! That’s exactly what I’ve been telling people. Bane is not Blockbuster!
I trust Nolan’s decisions in actors. The same fanboys who worship Heath Ledger’s Joker are the same people who spent two years making gay jokes about how awful “Brokeback Joker” will be.
I will not nit pick anything Nolan does because the guy is a genius.
I do think Bane is an unusual choice for Tom Hardy but I am very confident Nolan will not waste his talent..
Deep down I am hoping they do not end the series although I think Nolan is pretty set on that.. we can expect a movie in grand scale especially since Nolan loves IMAX…
Enough with the stupid “after the jump” comment. It has been beaten to death and makes me cringe whenever I see it in print. It means all of jack shiat in the context of this blog anyways.
Way to contribute nothing to the conversation!
As hard as it is to reinvent the Joker, Catwoman might be more difficult. If Anne Hathaway starts talking about spending time with Halle Berry to get inside the head of Catwoman, I’m going to be really afraid. Also, has Michelle Pfeiffer ever been better than she was in “Batman Returns”?
http://www.youscreeniscreen.com
Check out the reruns of Batman 1966 on HUB, because Julie Newmar has to be the best Catwoman so far. You can’t forget Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt and Lee Merriweather, because they nailed it.
While I love the Tim Burton Catwoman she kinda a entirely different character.
Well I’m glad he chose Hathaway, that means I won’t be that bothered when her role is lame.
Glad it’s Bane and not strange, that choice seemed to weird even for Nolan.
If Crane has his fear toxin Bane can have Venom.
There’s a HUGE difference between Scarecrow’s fear toxin and Bane’s venom.
A drug that induces hallucinations and panic in a person is realistic. A drug that makes someone instantly grow several ft. and gain several hundred pounds of muscle, is not.
Well steroids. Which is what I meant. Super steroids, it doen’t have to turn him into hulk to be effective. Their the same plot device.
I guess I could buy Bane ‘roiding up at the beginning of the film, so long as he stays that way. I don’t want to see him changing size back and fourth throughout the film. It’s okay in comic books and video games, but not in a dramatic action film.
I hate this news, but then again I hated the news received before “The Dark Knight” and LOVED IT. I was hoping for Catwoman but I kept imagining Marion Cotillard. She looks so much like a Catwoman. Anne Hathaway makes me think of things that don’t fall in line with the character, but we were all wrong about Heath. By this point, I know that Nolan knows what he’s doing. He would never jeopardize his own movie.
This is all cool rumour and all that but the question that’s been begging to be asked is…
“Are any of the girls getting naked?”
Tom Hardy was awesome as BRONSON, and beefed up Bale style in that too. Hope he does it again.
Its great to see Batman spawning lots of crazies and masked villains in his wake, as he did in the comics.
Hathaway, hoping she’ll surprise me, but at the mo isnt very inspiring as Catwoman out of all the other potential actresses out there. And Nolans casting judgement isnt always spot on (see Holmes and Gyllenhall) But Ledgers casting holds a ray of hope for Hathaway.
If Bane, breaks Bats back, maybe the RISE will be Bruce getting out of his chair, Though hopefully without the aid of a Witch like in the comic.
Yeah, I think the choices def have some potential. Hardy as bane…look no further than bronson. I can see him showing up in Gotham maybe being hired by another unknown baddie yet to be cast/ press released yet. Gotham PD could also bring someone like him in possibly as a bounty hunter of sorts..who knows. We have to trust in Nolan. The man knows what he is doing. I can see Hardy getting beefed up as he did for bronson, maybe even bigger. He has the physique to trim/ build muscle quickly. He is doing tinker tailor soldier or whatever right now and looks to be in shape but slim. So he is going to probably have to hit the gym hard between movies. Hardy will bring the cunning/ cerebral nature we know bane has an affinity for as well as the brute physical nature weve seen Hardy channel in the past. I’m guessing that nolan and WB are going to have another press release that brings a couple more key characters into the fold. every way i have figured it, there needs to be at least one more key male villain to propagate a story. As for hathaway, I’m sure she showed something to WB and nolan in the screen tests that wowed them. She beat out some pretty decent comp. Trust Nolan, I could see some people having reservations about hathaway though. You might be thinking its a ploy to garner more female attention because of the name recognition but we know with Nolan’s clout he has final say and is not going to be persuaded to something artistically he doesnt envision.
I doubt there will be any “growing” of bane using cgi…that makes no sense in nolans universe, but you all can expect a reality grounded explanation of venom. Probably something along the lines of steroidal amphetamine mixture that makes him geeked up and fucking nuts.
I remember when Collider put up the article saying “Dark Knight Rises maybe based on the graphic novel Prey”. And then I called out Collider for filling space with these ridiculous rumours. (I know it’s fun to speculate, but I’d expect an article on Collider to have more info than some fanboy dreaming of who he wants the villians to be.)
And all these d-bags got mad and stuck up for collider.
Well…. EAT IT!
I thought “it was pretty much confirmed that Hugo Strange was in the movie” – Yeah I’m talking to you Jim Geoff. EAT IT!
I thought Collider said they “independently verified Talia Al Ghul was in the movie”?
EAT IT fanboys, EAT IT!
You just stole my words!! So I’ll just say….. KISS IT internet rumors!!
Talia Al Ghul may still be in the movie, just not cast yet. It may be that Selina Kyle is a troublemaker that batman catches and is the love interest, and not the main villian. Talia Al Ghul and Bane may be the main villians, Talia bringing Bane in to fight batman with her. It would also be a good culmination of Nolan’s story arc, having started it out with Raz Al Ghul and ending it with Talia.
Has anyone thought of the fact that Bane may not be the main villian? I really don’t think they can make a two hour movie about Bane, or even Catwoman for that matter. I think we will be surprised by the news over the next year. That is just how Nolan is.
You deceived us with the Talia rumor.
Liars!
This is why I don’t pay attention to rumors. WHo honestly saw this coming? No one that’s who.
As much as I didn’t want to see Catwoman, Im okay with it. I love Anne Hathaway. Plus it says he is playing Selina Kyle, not Catwoman. SO maybe that means that she’ll become Catwoman at the end or something. Someon else pointed out that in Nolan’s BATMAN world, no one would ever call her Catwoman.
I don’t know what to think of BANE really? Nolan said it would be a new interpertation so who knows what Hardy is going to do. But with Hardy and Nolan, Im sure it will be sick.
Bane is a surprising choice, given the nature of the character in the comics, but from a movie and storytelling standpoint, it makes sense.
In The Dark Knight, the Joker was an intellectual force, someone who was smart enough to take control of the city, but he couldn’t compete with Batman on a physical level. Ultimately, the nature of the characters (and movies in general) mean that a physical confrontation has to occur. In The Dark Knight, whenever the Joker and Batman fought, other people (or animals) were there to make it a more fair fight. Bane can certainly compete with Batman physically, making him ideal for a fight scene with Batman.
Of course there is the bit that mentions the character has been re-invented, which means that Bane won’t simply be a physical force. He wouldn’t be interesting enough as a character, both to Nolan and audiences if he didn’t have a strong intellectual component as well. I’m sure that the Bane in The Dark Knight Rises will be a hybrid of several Batman villains, and will probably have aspects not found in the source material as well.
Strange choice for the villain. Hopefully they don’t just have him in a sumo suit growling “Bane” the whole time. The Hugo Strange stuff sounded cool and fit into the story that we have so far but Nolan must have a great idea as to what he plans to do.
Nolan will make it work, You know he will and I freaking love Anne Hathaway “Havoc Anybody???” she looks good in tight outfits.
Wow, I didn’t see that one coming. I was almost certain that Nolan would pick Talia Al Ghul as the female villain as it would have tied in nicely with Batman Begins but Nolan and Goyer know what they’re doing. Even though Catwoman is one bad mamma jamma, I doubt that Selina’s alter ego would be introduced in the film. Even if Hathaway dons a costume, I doubt that the iconic leather dominatrix cat suit will be used much less having the title of “Catwoman.” As for Bane, sure, I’ll go with that but I doubt we will see some type of super steroid juice a.k.a venom in the film. Either way, Anne is a great actress for the role (unlike that nonsense that Halley Berry had to work with.) Tom Hardy is a solid actor as well and couldn’t be happier with Nolan’s choice. The third installment might not be as big of an epic like TDK but it sure as hell will be better than that fiasco produced by Joel Schumacher.
i know that nolan can make a great movie with tom hardy as bane, i have my doubts about hathaway, she’s a good actress but not really attracted like that character needs..she doesn’t have what it takes to be a femme fatale
but hey it’s going to be another woman on the movie, so we need to wait to see what happens, also im sure there’s going to be the mafia element on this story too
IN NOLAN WE TRUST
This could make perfect sense. In the comics, after Knightfall and Knightquest, Bane became affiliated with Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows. Ra’s even named Bane as his heir. Maybe Nolan is going to do something with that?? I could totally see Bane coming in as the heir to Ra’s.
Firstly I think Nolan could pull off just about any of Batmans villains and portray them realistically within the universe he’s created, he’s just that good. Sorry about blowing Nolan but he is by far the best director at the minute.
I am quite pleased Hardy isn’t Hugo Strange, don’t get me wrong I think it would have fit well. But now I have no idea what the film is going to be about, and it’s getting me excited! Besides the Arkham City game is using Hugo Strange as the main villain, so I might have felt compelled to compare the two.
I still think Talia Al Ghul will be in the movie and I have a feeling that Bane will be linked to the League of Shadows/Assassins from the first film. Not sure how the whole Venom into the head will be shown on Bane however. Maybe he will just simply inject the stuff.
Lastly I think Hathaway is mighty fine, and if she’s Bales love interest I would be very happy. As I think they could have some chemistry on screen. Something the last two movies didnt really have.
Fuuuuuuuck Anne Hathaway!!!!!! She suuuuuuucks!! Why does no one else see how terrible she is?! Her dead eyed White Queen was an insult to actors!! Boooooo Nolan!! Booooo!!!
this’ll be better then the xmen prequel i’m sure of it. just look at the pics in the xmen prequel, looks more like a porn parody
Bryan Singer’s involved.
I like Hardy and the guy can definitely act, but why on Earth is Hathaway cast? Shes by far the worst choice among the other female choices for this part. Shes a pretty good actress, but she cant pull off Catwoman. I don’t understand why Nolan always has trouble casting his female leads. Seriously…..
How do you know she can’t pull it off?
They auditioned a bunch of actresses. She obviously was the one that impressed NOLAN.
Besides, it’s called acting. Just because someone may look wrong for a part it doesn’t mean they ARE wrong for it.
You were at the auditions Michael? Did you raise your concerns with Nolan? Because it’s clear you probably know more than he does about making “Batman” movies
Nolan probably doesn’t like Hathaway either. Haven’t you noticed how all women die in his movies?
Sure Anne Hathaway comes off as a romantic comedy, soft spoken actress not suitable for Catwoman but I heard just as much uproar from these irritable fan boys when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker. I couldnt tell you how many “gay jokes” were being posted online all because he played a homosexual cowboy prior to the Dark Knight. Im sure this young woman is talented enough to play Selina Kyle and maybe even Catwoman (remember, no one even said Catwoman was going to be in the movie nerds!) It’s not like Nolan woke up one day and said, “You know what, I liked Anne Hathaway in the Devil Wears Prada, I think she will be great as Catwoman.” She went through a thurough screen test and audition and she obviously had something that the film makers liked. In other words, leave the critiquing to the professionals.
She is certainly more of a believable love intrest then that pie face Maggie Gyllenhaal…she was so OOOOGAAALAY!
The Dark Knight RISES!
*Bane breaks Batman’s back*
Or maybe not…
lo and behold.. Chris Nolan got me again with that “ridiculous” casting and character placements. Then again that was also my feeling when Heath got casted as the Joker, and man was I wrong. I hope he pulls another magnificent rabbit out of that top hot of his and blow me to pieces with this presumed ‘ending’ to his Bat Trilogy.
Now, I have all my faith to Chris and c.o on how they’re gonna tackle this.
Do surprise and impress us again Mr. Nolan!:D
The fate of the Bat-fandom universe lies in your hands!!!!
as in the comics i imagine nolan will end his film with bane breaking batmans back and making him paraplegic forcing bruce wayn to retire and pass the torch on to someone els, but with cat women in the picture things could get interesting.
That’s cool, I cant even imagine the spin Nolan will put on these characters, its going to be gritty & sick.
plus Hathaway in tight clothing. yummy
I love people posting “I hope Nolan doesn’t……” and then add something goofy like they’ve never seen a Nolan film. Or a Batman one especially
I still don’t know about Bane. I’m suprised that Nolan would pick that type of villian and then make the character a revised version. I mean, whats the point of that? You have a great iconic villain in the Riddler. So much to work with far as character and even the casual viewer recognizes him. He’s the next best thing to Bats number one enemy. I doubt Bane will be hooked up to venom juice and turned into a monster mexican wrestler, so whats the point of using him? Whats left after you remove all if his comic-book attributes… his name?
The only sort of realistic Bane I can see, well, realistic in Nolan’s Batman universe, would be as other posters have suggested, a testosterone, steroid, drug filled baddie, with perhaps an incurable or fatal addiction, which may or may not give way to Batman having to fight some sort of drug syndicate or importers or what-have-you.. fighting a wave of super dangerous drugs and their effect in gotham in general, or something kinda like that.
Storywise, and in relation to Bane’s look, particularly the mask, I can see Bane being some sort of fighter or boxer, involved in perhaps illegal fighting, which could link the drugs to the underground through Gotham’s shady citizens, illegal betting, drug dealing, etc etc, which Batman would obviously need to stop. Who knows? But its fun to think out loud.
Bane was originally an intelligent villain, and Batman’s physical rival, so big and beefy as he should be obviously, but not the stupid monster we saw in B+R.
Batman will be on the run from the law, having been blamed for the murder of harvey dent. The government, in need of a powerful tracking tool will enlist the help of a deranged scientist who then creates a super-soldier prototype called Bane.
this is what i think.
For any of the people doubting Tom Hardy’s ability to play Bane, go watch Bronson and you will change your mind. I was skeptical at first, but I think Bane works. He was extremely intelligent in the comics and I think Nolan will make him real.
To me the whole Bane charachter feels like max cady performed by robert de niro…i have this feeling that scorcesse 1992 Cape fear could be a major influence for this film as was heat for the dark knight , but that’s only my speculation so don’t shoot me please
test
Ahaha I called this a long time ago. http://collider.com/the-dark-knight-rises-rumor-batman-prey/61641/ Fuck Hugo Strange and all the little fanboys who told me I was full of shit! Catwoman still pisses me off though.
Jamie is right. Anyone who thinks this is an odd casting choice should look at the side by side comparison of Hardy and Bane here.
http://www.wewillrise.net/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=warner-brothers-casts-anne-hathaway-as-catwoman-and-tom-hardy-is-bane-in-the-dark-knight-rises.html&Itemid=14
Looks like it could work in a realistic world.