Pre-production is beginning on the third and reportedly final Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises" and the cast list continues to rise as well. Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy are officially joining the upcoming highly-anticipated sequel.

Move over, Michelle Pfieffer and Halle Berry. Hathaway is set to step into the shoes Selina Kyle, better known as the alter-ego to the character of Catwoman.

We won't know for sure if she's going claws out for the role. There's no mention of Catwoman in the press release (but they might be playing their cards close to the chest like they did with Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent/Two-Face for "The Dark Knight").

"Inception" star Tom Hardy, who's been rumored to be joining the cast as a villain for months now, is playing Bane. He had originally been reported to be playing Hugo Strange.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story," Christoper Nolan said.

"I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman's most formidable enemies," Nolan added.

Nolan, who also helmed "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight," will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan. "The Dark Knight Rises" is set to hit theaters on July 20, 2012.