ComicBookLeague

Well it’s official. Batman has his next opponents.

One is the secret fantasy of men everywhere. The other is Catwoman.

Today Warner Bros. Pictures delivered a press release announcing the villains for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle, a character better known as her alter ego Catwoman, the master thief who is sometimes a villian, sometimes Batman’s ally/love interest, and always the love interest in those dreams that I’m not allowed to talk about with members of the opposite sex without one of us becoming extremely uncomfortable.

Something like this, only with a little less terror in my eyes. Only a little.

Tom Hardy, who has long been rumored to have a role in the film, has now been cast Bane, one of Batman’s more controversial villains. Known to most as either the man who broke Batman’s spine in his debut story or the minor third-rate villain from the abomination that killed the first movie franchise, Bane in the comics has evolved over the years from being a “roided-out” human tank to a diabolical and opportunistic criminal mastermind.

Much like this man.

Alfred, fetch us the official 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.

Interesting casting choices to say the least. While Hathaway has shown that she can do both dramatic and dark roles with performances in movies like Rachel is Getting Married and Havoc, she has yet to do anything as physically demanding as the role that Catwoman is guaranteed to be. Hardy has proven  with his acclaimed turn in Nolan’s Inception that he can be both physical and charismatic, traits that will be needed for portray Bane, but his stature (an average 5’9”), and overall intimidation factor are going to be hard to compete with Christian Bale (who fyi is 6′ even), who has returned the Caped Crusader in the public’s mind back the dark hero found both in the comics and Animated Series.

Admit it, he was intemidating even with the lisp.

Will it end up working?

Of course it will, it’s freaking Christopher Nolan. If he can make a brilliant comic book movie co-staring Katie Holmes, then there’s no telling what he’ll be able to do with a female lead that can actually act. Tom Hardy may not be the Bane of the comics, but so far Nolan has been able to portray Batman’s Rogues Gallery in way that is both faithful yet realistic. The fun part will be seeing how he pulls it off.