web counter
 

Meow

By TK | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (50)

anne_hathaway_hd_2-normal.jpg

Thank God.

Not necessarily because I’m thrilled with the casting choice (I sort of am though, but more on that in a bit), but because it finally puts a bullet in the damn rumor mill.

So the first piece is we finally know who Tom Hardy is playing, and it ain’t Hugo Strange. Instead, Hardy will put on the mask of The Man Who Broke The Bat… aka Bane. It’s a choice that pretty much no one saw coming, and an interesting one at that. The character has been shown on the big screen before, in the atrocious Batman And Robin, in a complete and utter abortion of a portrayal, showing him as essentially mindless grunt. In truth, Bane is a completely sane, very cunning and brilliant guy… who happens to periodically inject himself with a chemical that increases his strength, and who is one of Batman’s more fearsome foes (he didn’t get that nickname for nothing). I don’t know how they’re going to handle the physicality of the role, but honestly, given Nolan’s penchant for grounding his characters in more real-world scenarios, that’s less important, especially with an excellent actor like Hardy.

batman 6 28 bane-kills.jpg

I’m very curious to see if he gets rounded out with any other villains (Bane isn’t actually always a villain, either), though who knows, because…

… Nolan has officially announced that Selina Kyle, otherwise known as Catwoman, will be in the film, and he’s cast Anne Hathaway in the role. Now, which incarnation of Catwoman this will be is unknown. There have been several — former prostitute, cat burglar, amnesiac flight attendant (no, seriously) — but as far as female leads go, I actually think Catwoman’s an excellent choice. Given that Batman lost Rachel Dawes in the last film, a normal gal to start a relationship seems a bit disingenuous. But Catwoman has a far more visceral, complex relationship with Batman, so I’m down with the idea. Also, anything to get the taste of the ball-stabbingly awful Halle Berry movie out of my brain.

Now, as for Hathaway? I’m of two minds. On the one hand, she’s a spectacular actress and one who I have an embarrassing crush on. Seriously, she may well be at the top of my list. That said, when I think deadly sexpot seductress, I don’t know that she’s the first choice… but I’m certainly happy to give her the shot.

(source: FSR)









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance

← Bobby McFerrin Is Cooler Than You | The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness →









Comments

I can live with this.

Posted by: coryo at January 20, 2011 9:05 AM

wanted Emily Blunt even if she wasn't even remotely in the running, mostly because scarjo got the part she should have had in iron man 2

translated that means I want to see Emily Blunt in skintights being vampy

Posted by: arrrghzi at January 20, 2011 9:10 AM

Meh. She's sexy but not in a feline way.
Though I'm glad he didn't go for the usual sexkittens and sourpusses (see what I did there? Ok, need more caffeine. Apologies all round.)

Posted by: cinekat at January 20, 2011 9:14 AM

As The Edge once said: here we go...

Posted by: Jay at January 20, 2011 9:16 AM

I like Anne Hathaway but I'm just not seeing it. I don't know that she can pull off the right amount of crazy but people said the same of Ledger. I also don't think she has the intensity that Nolan's Batman movies demand. I would have rather seen an actress like Noomi Rapace get the role.

Posted by: admin at January 20, 2011 9:19 AM

I'm guessing they will portray Selina as working for Falcone, possibly related to him. They are changing up the origin stories so it wouldn't be a huge stretch. Not sure where Bane is going to fit in, or why Batman would be a threat to Falcone if he is now being hunted by Gotham PD as The Dark Knight left things.

Posted by: TylerDFC at January 20, 2011 9:21 AM

There is only one correct choice if Nolan is going with batshit crazy Catwoman, and that's Angela Bettis. Crazy eyes, startling features, oddly attractive, and sharp as a tack. I'm aware that she most likely was never in the running.

Hathaway, however, could pull off a more grounded Catwoman. What is the essence of the character? A burglar who Bruce Wayne falls in love with. She's pretty, she's fit, and she's smart. Done.

Posted by: Robert at January 20, 2011 9:23 AM

Hurrah for Hardy. Hell nah for Hathaway. Cats don’t have teeth that big.

Posted by: zeke the pig at January 20, 2011 9:25 AM

Eh... Sick of it already.. Besides Nolan is probably going to kill off both of them in the first half hour.. RIP Harvey Dent...

Posted by: Sarah J-Town at January 20, 2011 9:35 AM

I love (LOVE!) Tom Hardy!
So yay!
Anne Hathaway? Yeah, sure, why not? Maybe she'll Newmar it up.

Posted by: Chickaboom at January 20, 2011 9:36 AM

I didn't think Anne was a good fit for the role, but I tend to like her in the movies she's in, so I'll give it a shot. I liked the idea of Hardy as a villain, especially after Inception, and double especially after watching Bronson.

When it was first announced that Hugo Strange (or the Riddler) would not be the villain, there weren't too many other possibilities. Clayface isn't a headliner, and Killer Croc seems to silly for Nolan's world. I had a feeling for a while (or hoped, anyway) it would be Bane. Glad to see that's where they were going with this.

Posted by: Markus at January 20, 2011 9:37 AM

Isn't that the thing about Anne Hathaway, though? She's likable and quite good at acting, and looks alright, but is anyone ever thrilled to hear she's in a particular film, and does anyone ever long to see an Anne Hathaway film?

See also: Amy Adams.

Posted by: Caspar at January 20, 2011 9:49 AM

exposing my complete comic-nerd: in the first nolan batman movie they pulled several themes from the animated series (which is awesome, btw). i can see them going there for his version of catwoman. in the animated series she was a socialite and animal rights fundraiser who happened to really enjoy liberating animals and stealing cat-related artifacts and jewelry.

Posted by: jvo at January 20, 2011 9:56 AM

Thrilled about Tom Hardy.

Anne Hathaway - I just find her too upper class, snooty, odd grin (is anyone else freaked by these giant smile ladies: Julia Roberts, Gwynneth Paltrow who seem so enamored with themselves?). At one point the NY Times online had a video of a bunch of actors nominated for something or other and she was so self-aware - even the other actors seemed put off by her. I'm not saying she's not a good actress, but she just rubs me completely wrong.

Posted by: Cindy at January 20, 2011 9:58 AM

I'm sure this has already occurred to everyone since it seems really obvious but Hathaway has a total Joker face. She's pretty but at certain angles (for example, almost all of them) she looks like more of a Harley Quinn than a Catwoman.

Posted by: becks at January 20, 2011 9:59 AM

Listen TK, apart from being one of my favorites here at pajiba you also are very witty, I think that was what drew me to you in the first place. But please don’t get into the mind set that somehow Halle Berry fucked up Catwoman’s image. It’s fucking Catwoman for christ sakes, it ain’t like Catwoman is the holy grail or something. If anything the broad ain’t nothing more than a hot piece of ass waiting to get banged by any two bit super hero in a flashy outfit. I mean really, at best Catwoman is the fourth Kardashian.

Posted by: Pookie at January 20, 2011 10:05 AM

double especially after watching Bronson.

Posted by: Markus at January 20, 2011 9:37 AM

-----------

Main reason for my hurrah. That was a hell of a film, and a HELL of a fucking performance.

'Mah names Chaaarles Bronson. Nuffink wonky about my upbringin''

Fuckin' a.

Posted by: zeke the pig at January 20, 2011 10:15 AM

I just fear like hathaway is gonna look like felix the cat with the big eyes and the big mouth

Posted by: arrrghzi at January 20, 2011 10:23 AM

The thing about Nolan is that the guy has vision and an ability to translate that vision to the screen. He also has enough clout with the studios that they basically back the fuck up and let him make his own decisions about the story, characters, and casting, so I don't think he is in Michael Gondry/ Kevin Smith territory of being compromised by Movie Stars and Studio Pressure. He has earned my trust in his casting decisions by now. He knows what he is doing.

Posted by: Yossarian at January 20, 2011 10:26 AM

"I mean really, at best Catwoman is the fourth Kardashian."

Pookie that sounds like a great title for a horror movie. "The Fourth Kardashian."
I could see the trailer now, "If you thought zombies, werewolves and vampires were scary wait till you see....THE FOURTH KARDASHIAN! In 3D! And IMAX!

Posted by: TheBlackMenace at January 20, 2011 10:27 AM

I think "incredible actress" is taking it a bit far, she's good. Anne Hathaway, to me, is too much of an ingenue to play the role, Catwoman is not ernest.

Posted by: citizen_cris at January 20, 2011 10:28 AM

Casting aside, I'm just having trouble imagining Bane or Catwoman in Nolan's universe.

Posted by: Todd at January 20, 2011 10:37 AM

Olga Kurylenko or Mylène Jampanoï would have been a better choice.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQAf4fN3HHg

Posted by: Poet at January 20, 2011 10:42 AM

Pookie, That line made me snork. Well done, sir.

Posted by: , at January 20, 2011 10:47 AM

I recall a similar amount of nay-saying when Heath Ledger was cast as the Joker.

Posted by: Simon at January 20, 2011 10:54 AM

Olga Kurylenko or Mylène Jampanoï would have been a better choice.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQAf4fN3HHg

Posted by: Poet at January 20, 2011 10:42 AM

I approve this product and/or service especially since they both kinda look like cats. It's especially hard to remember that Mylene is pretty when I always just have her brutally bloody in my mind. Oh Martyrs, mindrape me but don't mess with my appreciation of my pretties.

Posted by: arrrghzi at January 20, 2011 10:58 AM

I was still hoping it'd be Eva Green. Oh well. Anne's gorgeous and talented. Even though I don't think it's an exact fit, I'm willing to be proved wrong. And Tom Hardy for ALL the things!

Posted by: jM at January 20, 2011 11:18 AM

Yeh, I'd have gone with Eva Green or Olga Kurylenko over Hathaway.

The former two have the grace and poise I'd expect from the role and Hathaway just strikes me as one of those quirky, indie girls that are all the rage among teens at the moment.

Posted by: Murderbot at January 20, 2011 11:33 AM

I don't know that she can pull off the right amount of crazy but people said the same of Ledger. - admin

Anne Hathaway, to me, is too much of an ingenue to play the role, Catwoman is not ernest. - citizen_cris

Some people just don't get Catwoman. She isn't crazy, not in the comics, anyway, and definitely not like the Burton/Pfeifer version in Batman Returns. I love that movie and that take on the character, but it isn't the definition of Catwoman, or Selina Kyle.

In fact, "earnest" would be a much better descriptor of her fundamental personality than a lot of other words. Whether she's protrayed as a cat burglar sticking it to the man, taking revenge on the crime families that attempted to ruin her life, or an eco-terrorist, she may be snarky, sexy, dangerous, and having a lot of fun... but her motives are always depicted as being from a pure place. That's why she and Batman are forever attracted to one another, because they're both, at their core, earnest about what they're doing.

Hathaway can absolutely pull off this character. See: Rachel Getting Married, and to a lesser extent Havoc.

Oh, and weeks ago I totally mentioned Hardy as Bane somewhere around here. Honest Injun.

Posted by: RobP at January 20, 2011 11:43 AM

Julia Roberts, Gwynneth Paltrow

Now that's quite a pole vault there.

Snooty? Really?

Eva Green is creepy looking and boring. So nanny-nanny-boo-boo to all o' you.

PBBBBBT!

Posted by: Jay at January 20, 2011 11:47 AM

Catwoman is not ernest.

That's giving me a very funny mental image.

Posted by: Jay at January 20, 2011 11:49 AM

I literally just saw BRONSON yesterday so, yeah, F yeah Tom Hardy can do Bane.

Posted by: brdkelli at January 20, 2011 11:50 AM

Catwoman?
Dark Knight Rising?

Posted by: mograph at January 20, 2011 12:36 PM

This movie is going to be amazing. What people don't understand is that incredibly talented actors, like Anne Hathaway, can get lost in a role if given the opportunity. I think she will surprise everyone just like the late Heath Ledgar did with The Joker (I was a doubter at first, I'll admit). Bane is the most obvious choice of villian after someone like the Joker. Instead of a mind game, Batman must face pure physical opposition. One he cannot initially overcome.

Man, I'm pumped. I'm freakin pumped. And get over the name people. The Dark Knight Rises doesn't sound too bad.

Posted by: Littlejon2001 at January 20, 2011 12:46 PM

I have a huge girl-crush on Anne Hathaway. She can do anything. Can't wait.

Posted by: figgy at January 20, 2011 12:47 PM

RobP, it isn’t our fault that we still don’t know who Catwoman really is after all these years, what motivates her, what fears does she have. You are right in that Catwoman and Batman share a similar path, but with Catwoman the only things we see are scars, not the origin of the scars. Batman’s whole life has been laid bare before us and we know what makes him tick, sadly, with this broad the only thing she knows how to do is look hot. I don’t even know what her powers are.

Posted by: Pookie at January 20, 2011 12:47 PM

All around very exciting. After I saw that Hugo Strange was the villain in the upcoming Batman video game, I had serious doubts that he'd be the villain in the movie. Honestly, I was leaning towards Killer Croc (especially after having just seen an episode of the X Files in which Mulder and Scully have to investigate the death of a circus escape artist with a similar skin condition), but I'm not entirely disappointed by seeing it's Bane.

Remember, Bane isn't just a brute. He's viscious and methodical. He's remembered for that iconic, visceral image of snapping Batman's back, but people forget that he'd been in the comics for months building up to that moment. He ran Batman through a gauntlet. He wore him out. He kept him constantly on the move, constantly fighting one opponenet after another, constantly Batman. No time to sleep. No time to heal. By the time they actually faced off, Batman was already beaten. It's a great idea, and I hope Nolan is able to inject some of that into the movie.

While I would have prefered a more classic villain for Nolan's final outting (at least we're getting Catwoman), I trust him to deliver a fun, exciting story.

Posted by: superasente at January 20, 2011 2:08 PM

Bane is a lame villain. Always has been. He broke Batman's back...big deal. A kid with a roller skate could do that. Lame villain. Period.

Oh, and the only way Catwoman could be the fourth Kardashian would be if Batman were African American.

Posted by: Case at January 20, 2011 2:19 PM

Something is fishy in the land of Nolan.

Posted by: Lordninja at January 20, 2011 2:31 PM

In Nolan we trust.

Posted by: feelsgoodman at January 20, 2011 3:42 PM

“Oh, and the only way Catwoman could be the fourth Kardashian would be if Batman were African American.”

Posted by: Case at January 20, 2011 2:19 PM

Ouch, but true. The Kardashians sisters have fucked more black guys than the three strikes law.

Posted by: Pookie at January 20, 2011 4:03 PM

I don't really sweat Anne being cast considering I figure Bane is the choice for being the main storyline for Batman. Well, that and I think she will do well enough to sell it.

Posted by: Matt at January 20, 2011 5:12 PM

After two remarkably solid Batman movies, I don't care who Nolan casts. He's earned it. I think he could do something really interesting with Bane considering the end of the last movie. And Anne Hathaway potentially in tight black leather.....
...
...
...
...
I'm sorry. What were we talking about again?

Posted by: Harborwolf at January 20, 2011 5:18 PM

Pookie: You want to know more about Catwoman than you've seen at the multiplex? Read a Batman comic. There are, literally, thousands to choose from. Don't blame Hollywood for your lack of knolwedge on a subject when that information (and entertainment) can be gained by heading to your local bookstore. Or, y'know, Wikipedia. Actually, the 90s animated series did a great Catwoman; I'd start there. Ed Brudaker and Darwyn Cooke also have a good handle on the character, as does Paul Dini in his recent Batman work (helped, obviously, by being one of the minds behind the TV show). Though, unfortunately, like the Joker, she does have multiple origins. But they all have similar takes on the character's basic premise, so without considering continuity, they all work in regards to where she's at now. Mostly.

Littlejon: I had the same thought yesterday in regards to the mental vs. physical obstacles. Though, I was looking at it in terms of, This Time It's Personal. Sure, the Joker killed Rachel Dawes, but he didn't know Bruce was Batman. All he knew was that Batman would go all out to protect her, and he used that. With Bane, however, Bruce's secret identity will likely be discovered and so it will actually be about Bruce being able to handle it. Until the end, when the Dark Knight rises and kicks some arse.

Posted by: RobP at January 20, 2011 5:33 PM

Nolan does better at casting the men. His choices for female roles have not been encouraging, and his choice of Hathaway fits right in with those choices. I don't doubt that she'll give it her all, but her all ain't good enough.

Posted by: jimbob at January 20, 2011 5:53 PM

Well of course I could go and read a comic book to find out about the origins of Catwoman, but I shouldn’t have to. If the director is going to introduce a character, well then the director should give us everything we need to know about the character. And since when is reading a prerequisite to going to the movies? If I need to read the book well then why am I paying my money to go see the movie?

Posted by: Pookie at January 20, 2011 6:16 PM

But the movie hasn't been released yet, Pookie. What are you even talking about?

Yes, in Nolan's new movie we should have a clear understanding of Catwoman. Obviously. But seeing as how the film hasn't been released for public consumption, if you wanted some clarification on who Catwoman is, there are literally volumes of works you could reference. Hundreds of tv appearances. Thousands of comic books.

Are you complaining that you don't know who the character is because the newest movie that features that character hasn't been released yet? That's...wow...that's insane. If you don't know anything about Catwoman, you shouldn't be bitching about Catwoman. You should be bitching about your own lack of interest.

Posted by: superasente at January 20, 2011 8:01 PM

I think Michelle Pfeiffer can still pull off Catwoman. Who's with me?

Posted by: noonoo at January 21, 2011 1:46 AM

anne freaking hathaway for catwoman?

is there no one else?

what the f nolan?

Posted by: haplo at January 21, 2011 12:46 PM

superasente, my only hope is that the new characters in Nolan’s Batman are explained to us in a few scenes. Once again, yes, I can go and read up on Catwoman but that was not my point. You aren’t the first person to jump to the wrong conclusion.

Posted by: Pookie at January 21, 2011 4:10 PM