According to french magazine Le Figaro (The content is hidden for non registered users, batman-on-film brought the story as well) Marion Cotillard has signed on for The Dark Knight Rises.
If that is true, then the obvious question is: who’s she gonna play?
Since she awaits her child in may and TDKR starts shooting in may it might get a little stressful for her, but probably her role (second lead actress) won’t be as big as Hathaway’s Selina Kyle.
The most popular bet is now on Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra’s al Ghul, who was portrayed by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins.
This would be a very nice throwback to make the trilogy come full circle. With most comic book adaptions more villains will result in an eventual team up of two or more colorful villains who only differ in their gimmicks.
Although it could work here if Talia is introduced in the form of a wealthy industrialist or something along the lines, coming to Gotham, just named Talia at first. Her company is going heads on with Wayne Enterprises and Talia could act as a character who challenges Bruce’s public persona, whereas Catwoman faces his Batman persona, resulting in a very nice identity conflict, but I’m drifting off since right now we know nothing for sure.
But right now with Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy (he’ll be back for sure), Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard there are a bunch of Inception actors on this project right now.
I’ve always maintained that a 2nd Nolan-verse Batman should focus on more of the Hush character, with Riddler thrown in + a female lead of Talia to, like you said, have the trilogy come full circle. I thought Hush represents as much a threat to Bruce Wayne if not Batman as well, and he represents his life prior to his parents death, so he’d have face the good memories of his parents in the 3rd film. Also Talia would represent the side of Bruce that eventually became Batman and so on and so forth.
It’s all a ‘Moo’ point now anyways. I’m just surprised that there’s so many more (possible) villains than expected. Hope it doesn’t get too convulated.
Mark my words though, if TDKR fails in any way, it’ll be due to sky high expectations after TDK from us, the audience, and not through any glaring fault of the makers.