Dark Knight Rises for Charlize?

Several actresses rumored to have auditioned for Batman 3.

Today is rumor day. First we had the Wolverine in X-Men: First Class talk, and now it's the token The Dark Knight Rises leaks and counter-leaks. Specifically, the latest word on the streets of Gotham is that Charlize Theron may be up for a part in the third Batman film.

ComicBookMovie.com has a tipster who supposedly has the inside word from one of the Hollywood talent agencies. Emphasis on the word "supposedly," but let's go with this for a minute…

"Charlize Theron, who is a client, has been approached to play a detective named Sarah Essen -- a love interest for Jim Gordon," says the source. "Actresses Kacie Thomas and Vera Farmiga have auditioned for the character role of Julie Madison. A love interest for Bruce Wayne."

Julie Madison and Sarah Essen

Bat-history tells us that Sarah Essen first showed up as a Gordon home-wrecker in the awesome Batman: Year One, which of course was one of Christopher Nolan's inspirations for his first two films in the series. Eventually she married Gordon, only to get offed by the Joker.

Julie Madison debuted back in 1939, serving as romantic companion to Bruce Wayne and frequent target of Batman's enemies. She also had some run-ins with the original Clayface, which should add fuel to the villain rumor fire some.

So, again, this is all very much rumor but still food for thought on a slow news day. It also raises the question: What does a Batman movie need with a Jim Gordon or Bruce Wayne love interest anyway? Stick to one or the other, maybe, but both? Will we even get to see the batsuit before the end of the first act?

http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/113/1131630p1.html