After months of speculation and myriad rumors about who Joseph Gordon-Levitt would play in the new Batman film, "The Dark Knight Rises," it turns out the answer is none of the above.
It was reported in March that Gordon-Levitt would play Albert Marcone, the son of major Gotham crime boss Alberto Falcone, played by Tom Wilkinson in the first of Christopher Nolan's films, "Batman Begins." Instead, according to a Warner Bros. press release, he'll play John Blake, "a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon."
Marion Cotillard, long assumed to be part of the cast, was also made official on Tuesday. She'll play Miranda Tate, who, according to Warner Bros. is a 'Wayne Enterprises board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne resume his father's philanthropic endeavors for Gotham."
The pair join three-time Batman Christian Bale, as well as Anne Hathaway, who is playing Selena Kyle/Catwoman and Cotillard and Gordon-Levitt's "Inception" cast mate Tom Hardy, who takes on Bane.
This is to be the final Batman film Nolan will direct; after this film, Warner Bros. will reboot the series, which Nolan Will produce.
The official press release follows (via ComingSoon.net):
Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Oscar® winner Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt have joined the cast of The Dark Knight Rises, the epic conclusion to the Dark Knight legend.
Cotillard will appear as Miranda Tate, a Wayne Enterprises board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne resume his father's philanthropic endeavors for Gotham.
Gordon-Levitt will play John Blake, a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon.
The film reunites the actors with Christopher Nolan, who recently directed them in the award-winning blockbuster Inception.
The director stated, "When you collaborate with people as talented as Marion and Joe, it comes as no surprise that you would want to repeat the experience. I immediately thought of them for the roles of Miranda and Blake, and I am looking forward to working with both of them again."
Heading the cast of The Dark Knight Rises, Christian Bale stars as Bruce Wayne/Batman. The main cast also includes Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle and Tom Hardy as Bane. Josh Pence, who played the body of one of the Winkelvo
Nolan will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer. Christopher 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.