Anne Hathaway: Catwoman In 'Batman' Sequel 'Dark Knight Rises'

Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle -- the original Catwoman -- in the next 'Batman' film, 'The Dark Knight Rises.'

Warner Brothers confirmed the casting, which was rumored earlier this month.

Selina Kyle made her first appearance in the Batman series in 1940 in Batman #1. She plays both a villain and ally to Batman, often a love interest. Michelle Pfeifer played the role in the 1992 film, 'Batman Returns.'

Here's the official statement, via Deadline.com:

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.

Comments

[BryanTheRegOps]

04:50 PM on 01/31/2011

Worst. Casting. Ever.

Couldn't they have found a paler, plain jane to play Catwoman?

[makdi]

04:08 PM on 01/22/2011

when they announce things this far out from the release date, it makes me worry that the film will suck. If he can transform AH the way he did HL, Catwoman will be ok, Tom Hardy can carry his own water -- he will probably see more screen time in the flick; the villains never seem to get equal air time in these adventures. The chicks are usually more decoration in Nolan films and Batman productions. Looking forward to seen a newly tricked out Wayne Manor and more bat vehicles.

[Eli Dirkx]

02:05 PM on 01/20/2011

And here I was hoping for a character that hadn't yet been featured in a Batman film.
Sure, people like Hush would have been difficult to put into the continuity, as other more 'fantastic' characters.
But the Ventriloquist could have been cool.
Anyway, here's hoping for a more solid film than The Dark Knight.

[Anonymous17]

10:38 PM on 01/20/2011

I do not think it can get more solid than the Dark Knight :)

[MrUnlimited]

02:16 AM on 01/31/2011

I second that notion...the Dark Knight is a pretty tough act to follow. The 3rd movie could knock my socks off and still not be as great as the Dark Knight.

[MrUnlimited]

02:17 AM on 01/31/2011

Wait...you didn't like the Dark Knight?

[TurnToTheLeft]

12:04 PM on 01/31/2011

No! They could have cut 30 minutes of repetitive, pointless loud violence!

[eskeeemo]

01:58 PM on 01/20/2011

I'm not sure she's cool and feline enough, frankly. But, we'll see. LOVE Tom Hardy as Bane, though!

[Amadahy]

01:34 PM on 01/20/2011

I don't know, I'll have to see. I was hoping for someone with a little more bite I think, sexier, more mysterious, and a heavier hitter in the acting chops department...someone like Emily Blunt.

[Heather Victoria Swanson]

05:43 PM on 01/21/2011

I would have been a bit skeptical, too, but I seem to have caught a lot of her films lately quite by accident, and she's got much more range than I'd have guessed! You should see "Rachel Getting Married," if you haven't yet. I think we can expect some great things from Anne. And I think (HOPE) she'll pull off dark & sexy. Nolan's pretty good at drawing surprising stuff from his cast!

(That said, your call re: Emily Blunt is brilliant; she'd have been fantastically catty. ;)

[LynnyC]

02:47 PM on 01/30/2011

yeah you can see her talent in "Rachel Getting Married" and you can see her in Black shiny leather on that GQ cover, so I think she can do it.

[BJD44]

01:15 PM on 01/20/2011

**********************************************************

Wow, what is WRONG with that Photoshopping
of that cover photo of her?!? Uck.....whoever
did that should be fired!!

***************************************************************

[louisa celtics]

11:41 AM on 01/20/2011

I would rather see Betty White as Catwoman.

[Results May Vary]

10:58 AM on 01/20/2011

Almost everyone railed against Nolan's choice of Heath Ledger as the Joker. All I can say after the way that turned out is "I trust his judgment".

[YankinCanada]

10:46 AM on 01/20/2011

I think we've all forgotten that Heath Ledger was trashed as the choice of the Joker....Anne is multi talented and she has the time, I hope to prepare for this role.

[MKrause]

10:06 AM on 01/20/2011

The real question is will Nolan kill Batman... Bane breaks Bruce Wayne's back essentialy killing him in the comics

[Dennis Yuen]

09:52 AM on 01/20/2011

Well, at least she'll be better as Catwoman than Halle Berry... right?

[Heather Victoria Swanson]

05:44 PM on 01/21/2011

I think you or I would be, too! ;)

[WestOfTheMoon]

09:10 AM on 01/20/2011

I saw Hathaway in "Love and Other Drugs" where she showed as much skin as she ever has. I don't see her with the earthy sexuality of Catwoman, but I want her to surprise me. Tom Hardy is perhaps the more pleasing news---he has a brooding intensity that will bring any villain to life, no doubt. I look forward to seeing it.

[Quasi Libertarian]

07:06 AM on 01/20/2011

Picking Anne Hathaway as Catwoman was for the same reason that Michelle Pfifer was cast in the early 90's....she was a box office draw rather than being the best choice.   It seems like Hollywood keeps trying to pick a big name girl rather than casting someone that really personifies what people think of Catwoman....The gorgeous Halle Berry nearly destroyed the roll....
 
I think an unknown or perhaps a barely know name would be better.  The movie is going to be a huge draw anyway and they doen't need another star...
 
The only well known name that comes to my mind that would be a good Catwoman is Kate Beckinsale....Major Hottie...She is a little older but in the "Underworld" movies she wears black leather very well.

[RobertFromMN]

06:23 AM on 01/20/2011

Nice! I've had a Catwoman fetish since I was seven.

...Maybe I should keep that to myself.

[Aimee Briggs]

05:32 AM on 01/20/2011

Milla Jovovich, January Jones, Milla Kunis, Rosario Dawson those were my top choices. Anne I don't see her in this. . .

[MsVella]

10:58 AM on 03/20/2011

January Jones is going to be a character. Some frozen woman.