The Dark Knight Rises: Anne Hathaway Cast as Catwoman, Tom Hardy Plays Bane

Big news for the final film in director Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy today as Anne Hathaway has been cast. She will play Selina Kyle aka Catwoman. Hathaway beat out several others for the part including Jessica Biel and Keira Knightley.

And while the news that Tom Hardy was cast as a villain hit way back in October we now know his specific role. Hardy will play Bane, who first appeared in the comics in the 90’s and is best known for breaking Batman’s back. An intelligent and physically imposing foe to say the least, and it is interesting to see that Nolan is utilizing the guy who ultimately took Batman down. The Dark Knight Rises is currently slated to release on July 20th 2012.