UPDATE: JoBlo points out via Twitter that no where in the press release is the word “Catwoman”…  Though the Hollywood Reporter AND The LA Times are running it as though it was…  Interesting food for thought.

Hero Complex at the LA Times is reporting that Anne Hathaway will be playing Catwoman and Tom Hardy will be playing Bane. The Warner Bros. press release had this to say:

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.

To be honest I’m a little surprised that they picked her. But I prefer my women a little closer to Christina Hendricks with some meat on their bones. And Bane… really? I’ve never been a big fan of that villain. What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.

Swank-mo-tron weighs in: I was in the middle of writing my own article about this, but Kill beat me to the punch. I think this is a little surprising, but also refreshing. I think Bane was dealt a raw hand in the Batman “movie” he was in… He’s been a very strong character over the years in the comics and his arc has been fascinating one…  From his determination to bring down Batman (and successfully break him) to his endless struggle to destroy the Lazarus pits of Ra’s al Ghul (which would be an intelligent use of him here) and his work WITH Batman during that time…  It would make sense to see a villain team up with Batman to handle a greater villain.

And as far as Catwoman is concerned, she was dealt a raw hand, too.  The way Schumacher just ignored the ending of Batman Returns is one of the many things that makes that film garbage.  Hathaway is an incredible actress and I can’t wait to see her put on a skintight vinyl suit and play a villain.  And I hope to Christ they use the Darwyn Cooke/Mike Allred Catwoman costume…