Word has it that Nolan and his team are meeting with as many as six different actresses hoping to fill two roles for The Dark Knight Rises, the much anticipated third chapter to his Batman films.
“Chris Nolan is lining up actresses he’ll meet for two female lead roles in The Dark Knight Rises, the third installment of the Batfranchise which Warner Bros has dated release on July 20, 2012. I’m told one of the roles is a love interest for Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne, and the other is a villain. The actresses are: Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway and Keira Knightley.”
Updated: Moviehole has added three more names to the hareem…
I’ve also heard a couple of more names being tossed about in relation to the film… One is Tanit Phoenix, who worked with the studio on “Lost Boys 3 : The Tribe”. Another is Marion Cotillard, who has long been a fan-fave to take on the role of Catwoman. And last but not least, there’s been whispers of Piper Perabo, who Nolan worked with on “The Prestige”, being considered for a role.
Popular opinion suggests that the two female roles would be that of Talia Al Ghul, daughter of Ras played by Liam Neeson in the first film, and hopes are high for Catwoman as a villain.
If I had to choose from that list for those roles, I would have Weisz as Talia. Manipulating her way into Wayne’s life under an alias to avenge her father’s death. And no other person on that list oozes sexual presence like Anne Hathaway does, so I would have to pick her for Catwoman.
I would love to see what Nolan does to bring a real world kind of approach to Catwoman. Likely a high tech cat burglar without the supernatural edge.
Other names that I wonder about on this list are Blake Lively, while tasty is already playing a current character in the DC Universe, so I wonder if he is meeting with her about a cameo, perhaps to tie the DC films loosely together. And Tanit Phoenix has already been rumoured to be considered to play Diana Prince/Wonder Woman for a proposed TV series.
Who do you think could fill these rumoured roles? Do you think those are the characters he will use?
I find Talia Al Ghul vastly more interesting as a character than Catwoman. I really don’t want to see Catwoman.
I WANT to see Catwoman in the next (and last) Batman’s movie, I want to see Nolan’s take on it! Will he dare to make her appear on it?? I wonder, but if he doesn’t I will be truely disappointed, I will feel like he was just too scared to make her wrong so he prefered to not let her in.
Also, Selina is the only one in my opinion who can understand Bruce/Batman double identity now.
I’m sure Anne Hathaway, Rachel Weisz or Keira Knightley would be great for this role.
for the love of God…NO CATWOMAN!!!
She is a stupid character.
Bring on Talia Al Ghul.
To tie with Begins and bring the full circle.
As always stated on my older post here :D. I have this gut feeling about Marion Cotillard will be Nolan picks for Catwoman. She will bring extra gravitas to the already star studded movie. Beside being an oscar winning actress (and great actress overall) doesn’t hurt. Look on what she did in Inception, that catwoman character written all over. But, being Thalia isn’t a bad choice either. My second from all above list, either Natalie Portman or Kiera Knightley
Rachel Weisz or Marion Cotillard as Talia Al Ghul,pleaeeeeeease!!!!
Marion Cotillard is perfect for Tali, she has that exotic flare which talia needs.
none of these females do a good catwoman for me. The one with the best chops is Natalie Portman but she has this baby doll look and isn’t right for catwoman. Catwoman is a powerful female, i see someone like Naomi Watts possibly pulling that off but still no…..It is so hard to top Michelle Pfeiffer.
It does not matter who Chris Nolan picks. This movie will rock. I can not wait to see this movie.
Hmm…..Out of the six listed ladies, I can see Rachel Weisz as Talia Al Ghul for sure. As far as Catwoman is concerned (assuming she’s in the flick), I’m going to take a shot in the dark and say that Keira Knightley would be the right choice. She’s the most beautiful of the actresses listed (which will be what Nolan would want with that kind of character) and she’s a good actress IMO. Under Nolan’s direction, Keira would become a very convincing Catwoman. She’ll have to hide her accent though, unless Catwoman is written as an international character.
* Nine, I mean.
Ok there is no other way for me to say this other then ARE YOU CRAZY! Nah I am kidding but seriously Anne Hath does not ooze catwoman for most men. She is kinda pretty in here own pale skinned and big eyed way. I literally think imo that she is on the bottom of the list as looks go…but acting wise she is good.
I don’t want Catwoman, but at least I’m glad the dreaded Harley Quinn grabage has faded away.
Talia Al Ghul makes some sense because it is reasonable that not all LOS members had been stopped/caught by Batman in the Begins. (In fact, I’ll even argue that the Ninja who leaves Ras on the bullet train is Talia- I know that’s a stretch, but still-) It was also mentioned that other LOS had infiltrated Gotham.
Of course, there’s also the chance that it could be a love intrest like VickY Vale, or maybe a new Gotham DA (they are fresh out!)
My personal wish, of course, is Falcone’s daughter who moonlights as Hangman. But I’m conceding to Talia and Vicky.
Tanit Phoenix
Blake Lively
How about we have just 1 villian in the movie this time?
I know its a bit greedy and asking a lot–but, anyway we could have ALL of them in the film???? :)
Obviously nobody here has seen the USA show Covert Ops. Cuz if they had seen it, they would choose Piper Perabo (pictured on the bottom right)to play an awesome Talia al Ghul. She was great on that show and could kick every actress’s ass on this list, literally. As for a potential Catwoman, my personal choice is not on the list unfortunately. I want Jennifer Garner or Rachel McAdams for that role.
I have seen Covert Ops. And I am a big Piper Perabo fan, but she’s not right for Talia.
Maybe you just have limited exposure to Talia.
Actually, the show is called Covert Affairs. Yes, Piper is good in it, but I don’t really see her in this dark world of Nolan’s Batman. (Don’t get me wrong, I’d LOVE to see her :D). Having said that, I’m not really sure who would be right for the two roles. It really would be a tough choice as most of these womens’ acting (by my own standards) is good enough for the roles mentioned.
I could see Natalie Portman playing a troubled daughter, but if it’s an action oriented role, I don’t think she could pull it off. As for Anne Hathaway, I don’t think she “oozes” sexuality (as stated above by knossis) but could see her playing a role that would require a long legged woman kicking butt. I think the only real reason Rachel Weisz is in the list is for the die-hards wanting to see more of her in tight leather, akin to her role in the Underwold movies. Personally, I’d rather have someone altogether new and untried for the two roles, than going with a “popular” choice. I REALLY hated the change to Maggie G in TDK over Katie Holmes, and if I’m correct, Katie was only really cast out because of the antics of her husband, which reflected negatively on her. I think she was better than fine in her role as Ms. Dawes.
I think Blake Lively would come across as a REALLY hot love interest for Bruce, but I haven’t seen her do any action to justify being someone that fights with Batman. I’ve seen Kiera Knightly play a kick-ass chick, but she might be just too small now (since Domino) to play a fighter as well. If I really have to choose from this list, I’d go with “next!”.
…Rachel Weisz was never in any of the Underworld movies. I think you are confusing her with Kate Beckinsale, which is a shame, because Weisz is a great actor. Much better than most on the list here.
She and Marion Cottilard would be excellent additions to the Batman franchise.
Ya… I was thinking about that last night… My bad.
Nolan can pick star jones as catwoman and paris hilton as Talia , im still gonna go see the movie and they probably end up with an oscar.
Nolan is a genius!
Wholeheartedly agree.
Every time I hear about Catwoman being in the movie, or a rumor of some bad casting choice, I want to groan…but then I remember that we’re dealing with Christopher Nolan, a man who has yet to make a bad movie.
If I ran a studio, I would continuously be writing him blank checks, telling him to make any film he wants with any budget he wants.
Lots of really talented actresses to pick from…
Weisz is an obvious choice, for just about anything. I think Keira Knightly would make a great Catwoman. I wouldn’t mind seeing Portman as Talia, but not really interested in her as Catwoman. Ditto Naomi Watts. I guess Hathaway would be my next choice, but I really haven’t seen her in any real action roles, or roles in which she’s a real villain, so I have my doubts.
Finally, if one of the female characters is going to be a villain, and only one, I doubt we’ll see both Catwoman and Talia. Personally, I’d love to see Catwoman, as it’s one of my favorite villains (and stands to be redeemed after that Halle Berry train-wreck of a movie), but I think Talia is the more likely choice.
I would like to see Tanit Phoenix as Talia Al Ghul, doesnt matter to me really cause Nolan will choose who he wants and mostly makes good choices. I love Rachel Weisz but I just can’t picture her as Talia.
As Catwoman I would lean towards Cotillard of the women listed.
Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, and Marion Cotillard, I would narrow it down to those 3, the others ones either suck at acting or are eye candy. Put watts as catwoman and weisz or cotillard as Talia Al Ghul. Dont get me wrong Portman is a great actress but i dont see her in any of the batman roles.
For a split second, before I read the entire post, I thought the girl at the bottom middle was Katy Perry. I was about to crap my pants and write Nolan a nasty letter. Phew.
Anne Hathaway oozing? She’s a cutie for sure but she dont ooze for me though. different strokes.
I’ll pick Naomi Watts
and Keira Knightley or the french chick.
just sayin’
Rodney I hope you’re right in the depiction of the character’s who will be in the movie. Talia would be great because it would be a great way to connect all three movies and it would show Bruce how actions in the past can come around and bite you in the buttocks. Catwoman though would be a hard sell, in that after having the Dark Knight chase after someone as chaotic and explosive as the Joker, having him chase after a common burglar is sort of a let down. “Oh look! catwoman just stole the hope diamond while it was on display in Gotham!” The Gotham PD couldn’t deal with this? Maybe Talia will be the bigger threat and Catwoman will be the love interest and when Batman discovers she’s Catwoman he’ll have to make a moral choice to turn her in. Maybe Batman will be on the run from the League of Assasin’s who have taken it upon themselves to collect the bounty on Batman’s head and bring him back to Gotham to face trial.
What you just described would make a great movie in my book.