Catwoman and Bane to square off against Batman in The Dark Knight Rises

After Marvel took the spotlight last week with first looks at Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man and Chris Evans' Captain America, we speculated that Warner Bros would quickly look to get the internet community back on their side with some juicy information on The Dark Knight Rises. Well that arrives today courtesy of a press release from director Christopher Nolan and the big news is the casting announcement of Anne Hathaway (Alice in Wonderland), who will be looking to get her claws into Christian Bale's Batman as Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman.

Meanwhile confirmation has also come on Tom Hardy's (Inception) role, and no, it's not Hugo Strange but... Bane! That really comes out of left-field and I'm intrigued as to what Nolan will have in store for the character. He certainly can't be any worse than the bloated freak of Batman and Robin (1997), but I'm curious as to how they'll capture his physique (no X-Men: The Last Stand Vinnie Jones muscle suit, please!) or if they'll abandon it altogether, which surely would be a mistake.

Official press release in full...

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.

Now, given it's likely that Nolan will bow out after this third installment, what's the betting on Bane breaking The Bat?