LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Anne Hathaway has clawed her way into the latest Batman movie, nabbing the role of Selina Kyle and her alter ego, Catwoman.

Warner Bros. announced the casting Wednesday for Christopher Nolan’s latest film in the superhero saga, “The Dark Knight Rises.” Hathaway will appear opposite Christian Bale, who is returning as Bruce Wayne and Batman.

<YONHAP PHOTO-1356> FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2011 file photo, Anne Hathaway arrives at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. Warner Bros. on Wednesday, Jan. 19 announced that Hathaway will play the role of Selina Kyle and her alter ego, Catwoman, in "The Dark Knight Rises," Christopher Nolan's latest film in the Batman saga. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)/2011-01-20 11:14:31/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Anne Hathaway. AP-Yonhap News
FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2011 file photo, Anne Hathaway arrives at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. Warner Bros. on Wednesday, Jan. 19 announced that Hathaway will play the role of Selina Kyle and her alter ego, Catwoman, in "The Dark Knight Rises," Christopher Nolan's latest film in the Batman saga. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)/2011-01-20 11:14:31/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Anne Hathaway. AP-Yonhap News

Anne Hathaway. (AP-Yonhap News)

The studio also announced that Tom Hardy, whom Nolan directed in last year’s “Inception,” will play one of Batman’s enemies, Bane.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is slated for release on July 20, 2012.

Hathaway, an Oscar nominee for 2008’s “Rachel Getting Married,” will co-host the Academy Awards with James Franco on Feb. 27.


khooran@heraldcorp.com