List of Actresses Testing for 'The Dark Knight Rises'

Christopher Nolan is preparing to test a shortlist of actresses for the two female leads inThe Dark Knight Rises, the third and final installment of his Batman trilogy.

Among those testing for the roles, according to the Hollywood Reporter, areKeira KnightleyandAnne Hathaway, who werepreviously reported, as well asJessica Biel,Kate Mara(pictured right),Charlotte Riley, and possibly ubiquitous British star Gemma Arterton.

The women are vying to play either a love interest (potentially Vicki Vale) or a villain (potentially Talia al Ghul, the daughter of theBatman Beginsbaddie Ra’s al Ghul), though their exact roles are speculation at this point. Warner Bros and Nolan will not comment on the production, which is expected to start shooting in May.

Knightley, Hathaway and Biel are recognizable Hollywood faces, as isClash of the Titansactress Arterton, who may be out of the Batman mix aftersigning on toHansel& Gretel: Witch Hunters. But Mara has only had supporting roles in films like127 HoursandIron Man 2and TV shows such as“Entourage” and“24.” 28-year-old Riley is even lesser known, though she’s engaged to Tom Hardy (who starred in Nolan’sInception) so she has an“in” already. Hardy hasbeen rumoredas a cast member inTDKRas well.

Naomi WattsandEva Greenwere also rumored earlier today atCollider, but THR says they have not been cast (hence the upcoming screen tests). Of course, no one knows anything for sure given Nolan’s intense secrecy when making films, particularly of the Batman variety.

Your thoughts? Who should be cast and who should they play?

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