Catwoman actress cast

Star will play superhero role in new Batman film...

10:36 20 January 2011

Anne Hathaway has landed the part of Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's third Batman film.

The 28-year-old star will follow in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry, who have both previously played the superhero.

The Dark Knight Rises will also star Christian Bale, returning as Bruce Wayne and Batman, and Tom Hardy as villain, Bane.

Hardy is best-known for starring in Nolan's 2010 film, Inception.

In a statement, Nolan said Hathaway would be a "fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story".

The Dark Knight Rises follows 2005's film Batman Begins and 2008's The Dark Knight, which starred Health Ledger as The Joker.

Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his role as the villain.

Anne will also co-host the Oscars with James Franco this year, which will be held on 27 February.

The Dark Knight Rises is due for release on 20 July 2012.