You may have noticed that a majority of films make use of "love interests" as a means of creating some sort of romantic/dramatic pull.  This isn't anything particularly new or exciting.  In fact, it's the oldest trick in the narrative storytelling book.  That said, when Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises does it, it's news.  I mention all of this because there are rumors swirling about the Internet today (hard to believe, right?) that implicate Charlize Theron, Vera Farmiga, and Kacie Thomas (The Burning Plain) as being connected in one way or another with Nolan's third Batman film.

For info on the extent of these rumors as well as the "love interest roles" they are associated with, hit the jump.  The Dark Knight Rises will see the return of Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman.  Tom Hardy has also been cast in an unspecified role in the film.  It is slated to hit theaters on July 20th, 2012.

It is rumored that the Oscar-winning Theron has been approached to play Detective Sarah Essen in The Dark Knight Rises.  Per Comic Book Movie, the role is that of a love interest for Commissioner Jim Gordon (played by Gary Oldman).  As for Essen, her character dates back to Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's Batman: Year One arc where she and the married Gordon strike up an affair whose inevitable end leads to Essen leaving Gotham for New York City.  If you'd like to know more about Det. Sarah Essen, check out her Wikipedia page here.

As for Oscar-nominee Vera Farmiga and Kacie Thomas, CBM is also reporting the rumor that the two have already auditioned for the role of Julie Madison.  As far as Batman history goes, Ms. Madison is known for being engaged to millionaire Bruce Wayne and as one of his first love interests.  She dates all the way back to Detective Comics #31 which was released in 1939.  For more info on her character, see her Wikipedia page here.

For me, the main takeaway from this set of rumors isn't so much the actresses involved but rather the knowledge that Sarah Essen and Julie Madison appear to be a part of David Goyer's story.  That's not to slight Theron, Farmiga, or Thomas (I think all three are solid actresses) but to downplay all past, present, and future casting rumors regarding The Dark Knight Rises as just that - rumors.

Finally, what are your thoughts on the inclusion of Detective Sarah Essen and Julie Madison in Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises?  Also, assuming there is any amount of validity to the rumored actresses, what are your thoughts on their potential involvement in the film?  Let us know in the comments.