Anne Hathaway lands Catwoman role in Batman film
- Published
Hathaway will co-host the Oscars with James Franco on 27 February
Actress Anne Hathaway will play Selina Kyle and her alter-ego Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's third Batman film
The 28-year-old, who will co-host the Oscars next month, follows in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry in playing the role.
British actor Tom Hardy, who appeared in Nolan's film Inception, will play villain Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.
Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne and Batman in the film, due for release on 20 July 2012.
In a statement, Nolan said Hathaway would be "a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story".
Hardy, he went on, would "bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman's most formidable enemies".
The Dark Knight Rises follows 2005's Batman Begins and 2008's The Dark Knight, for which the late Heath Ledger received a posthumous Oscar for best supporting actor.
Hathaway, Oscar-nominated in 2009 for Rachel Getting Married, will return to the Academy Awards on 27 February to co-host with James Franco.