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Chris Irvine for Telegraph UK reports ..

The Oscar-nominated actress, who will co-host the Academy Awards next month, will take on the role previously played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry in the latest instalment of the Christopher Nolan-directed series.

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

Hardy, who also starred in the Nolan film Inception, would “bring to life our new interpretation as one of Batman’s most formidable enemies.”

Catwoman, real name Selina Kyle, is both a love interest and sometimes adversary of Batman. Pfeiffer portrayed the Character in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns in 1992, while Berry starred in the box-office flop ‘Catwoman’ in 2004. She was also portrayed by Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt and Lee Meriwether in the 1966 Batman series starring Adam West.

The film, the third of the Nolan films, and seventh overall, is slated for release on July 20 next year.