By Kelsea Stahler, Hollywood.com Staff

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. Step aside ladies, Anne Hathaway has wrestled her way to the top and snagged a role as Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. Thank God; someone can finally wipe the slate clean after the monstrosity that was Halle Berry's rendition of the infamous villainess. Yes, casting Hathaway as Kyle may furrow some brows but she's got the potential to bring a fresh take on the catty lady.

Warner Bros. announced today that Hathaway would take on the role alongside Tom Hardy, who we already knew would be one of the many pieces in Christopher Nolan's developing puzzle. With the Hathaway announcement, we learned that Hardy will take on Bane, who in the comics is a villain of monstrous proportions. Hardy hardly towers over anyone, so we'll see how Nolan tackles that issue, but I think the choice is an interesting one. Bane's known as a big, hulking abomination, but knowing Nolan, he's putting his own spin on the typically one dimensional character.

The Dark Knight Rises is set to release July 20, 2012.

[Image: Warner Bros.]

[Deadline]