Anne Hathaway has reason to purr: She's landed the coveted role of Catwoman in the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises.
Hathaway, 28, will play Selina Kyle, whose other identity is Catwoman, and will join Christian Bale, who reprising his turn as Batman. Also joining the cast: Inception's Tom Hardy, who will play the villain Bane.
"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," director Christopher Nolan said in a press release, according to Deadline Hollywood, which also reports that Keira Knightley ,Rachel Weisz, Blake Lively and Natalie Portman were also vying for the role.
In the meantime, Hathaway's next big role will be as co-host of the Academy Awards with James Franco.
Christian Bale is planning to hang up Batman's cape after playing the vigilante in a third and final movie.
The actor insists The Dark Knight Rises will be his final outing as the comic book superhero - unless director Christopher Nolan has other plans.
Bale says, "This will be, I believe, until Chris says different, the last time I’ll be playing Batman."
Sounds like Tom Hardy has snagged a spot in the already highly-anticipated third Batman movie from director Christopher Nolan. While the news has yet to be confirmed by Warner Bros., Deadline reports that Nolan has picked Tom up for an unspecified lead role.
No news on whether that means he'll be facing off against Christian Bale, but it seems likely Tom would be brought in as the latest in a long line of dynamic villains created by Nolan. The actor's stock has been rising quickly ever since audiences responded to his supporting role in this summer's Nolan blockbuster Inception, and he's got three movies coming down the pike in 2011. He's also been slated to play the lead in a new Mad Max movie helmed by original director George Miller, but the project has hit a number of delays in pre-production.
While Internet rumors have mostly circled around the Riddler being Batman's nemesis in the third movie, Nolan is notoriously tight-lipped on such subjects. As for hints he's only said that he's not interested in using any characters with super powers. Nolan has been adamant that his Batman movies are set in a more realistic world where such powers don't exist.
Robin Williams is urging movie bosses to cast him in the next Batman movie - because he has twice been turned down for parts in the superhero franchise.
Rumors over casting for Christopher Nolan's upcoming third superhero film have been rife ever since The Dark Knight, starring Heath Ledger as The Joker, hit cinemas in 2008 - with fans speculating over which characters will be re-introduced.
Nolan is said to be considering bringing feline femme fatale Catwoman back for the new movie, along with The Riddler.
Williams is adamant he would make a good replacement for Jim Carrey, who played the fiendish puzzler in 1995's Batman Forever, because the part was originally offered to him. The funnyman also reveals he was lined up to play The Joker in the original 1989 Batman movie before the role was later handed to Jack Nicholson - and the snubs have made him determined to secure a part in the next installment of the hit franchise.
He tells Empire magazine, "I would do Batman in a second. I'd play The Riddler in the next one, although it would be hard to top Heath Ledger as the villain and I'm a little hairy for tights.
"The Batman films have screwed me twice before: years ago they offered me The Joker and then gave it to Jack Nicholson, then they offered me The Riddler and gave it to Jim Carrey. I'd be like, 'Ok, is this a real offer? If it is, then the answer's yes. Don't pump me again motherf**kers'."
Charlize Theron is ready to sink her claws into a forthcoming Batman movie - she's desperate to take on the role of Catwoman.
Several actresses, including Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie and Ashley Judd, have been tipped to step into the famous PVC catsuit, although Hollywood bosses have announced there isn't even a script in the works for the superhero sequel yet.
But Theron insists she'd love the chance to transform into the feline femme fatale, offering her name up for casting directors.
She says, "I think what has happened to that franchise is amazing. (Batman filmmaker) Chris Nolan is a genius. I would be an idiot to not consider that part."
The as-yet-untitled project is expected in cinemas in 2011.
Christian Bale will slip back into his rubber Batsuit next year to begin shooting the sequel to The Dark Knight.
The Hollywood actor has confirmed he will return as Bruce Wayne/Batman for the third time in director Christopher Nolan's forthcoming film, but a production schedule had yet to be released.
However, Bale's The Dark Knight co-star Gary Oldman, who portrays Commissioner Gordon in the movie adaptations, broke the news of the return of the Caped Crusader to fans at the annual Comic-Con in San Diego, California on Friday.
He told fans, "The next Batman is shooting next year. It's at least two years away. But you didn't hear it from me!"
Batman will take on villain The Riddler in the next instalment of the superhero franchise, according to the Caped Crusader's butler Sir Michael Caine.
The British star of both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight has let it slip that his movie boss' next foe will "probably be The Riddler" - a role made famous on screen by Jim Carrey in 1995's Batman Forever and on TV by Frank Gorshin, who died in 2005.
Johnny Depp and Eddie Murphy are both in the frame for the role, according to Hollywood gossips.
Caine has no idea who will be cast, but is hoping for a performance to rival Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight.
Caine tells People.com, "I thought it (The Joker character) was going to be a tough job for anyone who played the role after Jack Nicholson (in 1989's Batman). Now Heath is the Joker."
Batman movie "The Dark Knight" soared away with five People's Choice Awards on Wednesday including favorite movie and on-screen pairing for stars Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger to kick off Hollywood's annual awards season.
Country singer Carrie Underwood, who rose to fame on television talent show "American Idol," was another big winner, hauling in three People's Choice Awards for favorite female singer, country song "Last Name," and star under 35 years-old.
"Fans and people voting for me are what gave me a career in the first place," Underwood said, acknowledging the voting by music lovers. "This is an amazing night."
The People's Choice Awards, in its 35th edition this year, are a widely watched measure of popular appeal for Hollywood stars and they mark a starting point for the industry's annual awards season which runs through the Oscars, the world's top film awards, that take place in February.
Adam Sandler was named funniest male star, Reese Witherspoon favorite female movie star, and Kate Hudson top leading lady among winners in more than 40 categories covering film, television, music and even online entertainment.
Sandler, Witherspoon and Hudson all echoed a familiar theme of the night by saying People's Choice honors were special because they were voted on by fans, as opposed to critics or members of industry groups.
The ceremony also has a more casual atmosphere compared to TV's Emmy's or the film industry's Oscars, where black ties and ball gowns are mandatory.
Noting that difference, Katherine Heigl, who accepted the trophy for best comedy movie for her "27 Dresses," told reporters backstage that she wore a pants suit because "it was after the holidays, so I didn't want to wear anything strapless or anything I had to suck in my stomach for."
Among film honors, "Dark Knight," which was 2008's top film at box offices with global ticket sales of nearly $1 billion, also proved to be the No. 1 movie of the night. Along with best film and on-screen match-up, it hauled in awards for favorite action movie, superhero for Bale as Batman, and for its cast.
"The Secret Life of Bees" was the winner of best film drama and favorite independent film, and animated "Wall-E" was the No. 1 family film for People's Choice voters.
In the TV arena, medical show "House" was named favorite TV drama, and "Two and a Half Men" was best TV comedy.
"The Mentalist" was top new TV drama while "Gary Unmarried" was the No. 1 new TV comedy.
"House" star Hugh Laurie took home the trophy for favorite male TV star, and Christina Applegate took the honor of top female TV star for "Samantha Who?"
Applegate, who revealed earlier this year that she underwent surgery for breast cancer, said the award meant a lot to her after a difficult year.""I feel great. I really do," she told reporters backstage. "Each week gets easier and each week gets better."
Ellen DeGeneres was named best TV talk show host and "Dancing With the Stars" was the people's pick for No. 1 competition or reality TV show.
Along with Underwood, top winners in music included Kid Rock for favorite rock song "All Summer Long," Rascal Flatts for favorite group, Chris Brown best male singer and Katy Perry with best pop tune "I Kissed a Girl."A complete list of winners can be found at www.pcavote.com.Source: Reuters.com
Anne Hathaway has reason to purr: She's landed the coveted role of Catwoman in the upcoming film The Dark Knight Rises.
