First Look at Dark Knight Rises Poster!

This is the teaser poster for Christopher Nolan's third Batman installation: The Dark Knight Rises. As you can see, it doesn't reveal much. What we do know is that the film will star Christian Bale reprising his role as Batman, Anne Hathaway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy as Bane.

More 'Dark Knight Rises' News: Short List for Two Female Leads

Now that he finalized the title for the next Batman film, director Christopher Nolan is trying to cast the two female leads for The Dark Knight Rises. One would be the love interest for Bruce Wayne, and the other will be a villain.

Making the short list of actresses in consideration are: Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Blake Lively, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway and Keira Knightley. We think any of these ladies would be a great addition to the growing cast. And perhaps the multiple female leads will help dispel notions that Nolan has issues with women.

The Dark Knight Rises will hit theaters July 20, 2012, and shooting will start in April of next year.

'Batman 3' Will Be Titled 'The Dark Knight Rises' and Won't Feature The Riddler

Director Christopher Nolan has announced the title for his third Batman film: The Dark Knight Rises. We personally like the title, particularly that it hints at a glimmer of hope.

Also offering hope is the fact that Nolan says he convinced Warner Bros. to resist the popular 3-D craze for this film, and they are instead going to use IMAX cameras.

Nolan squashed earlier rumors that the Riddler would be the latest villain terrorizing Gotham City. Also off the villain list is Harvey Dent (no supernatural comebacks here) and Mr. Freeze.

Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman are all expected to reprise their roles in the third Batman installment, and Inception star Tom Hardy will be joining the cast. The DarkKnight Rises is set to begin filming next April in New Orleans, and Nolan hopes for a July 2012 release date.