A while ago, I wrote a post about the apparent confirmation that Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be playing Alberto Falcone in the third and last of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films. Well, a day or two later, I edited that post, explaining that the “confirmation” was not actually confirmed. This weekend we finally (from the actor’s and Warner Bros’ mouths) were told the role he’d be playing… a brand new character! *For the record, you should have all read that like the announcer from The Price is Right.*

Yep, JGL is actually playing a Gotham cop named John Blake who is assigned a “special duty” by Commisioner Gordon. Who else is guessing that duty involves a certain vigilante? Maybe making sure the Dark Knight doesn’t get captured? I kind of wish they could have drawn from the comics for a character for him, but I’m really glad he’s not an additional villain (as far as we know, of course). If I would guess, his character is probably going to be a side character, maybe like the Wayne Enterprises snitch from Dark Knight. As long as he isn’t a faux-teen Robin ala Chris O’Donnell, I’m cool with his character.

JGL’s Inception costar Marion Cotillard is set to play another new character – Miranda Tate, a board member of Wayne Enterprises who is set on helping Bruce Wayne continue his father’s philanthropic work. I know a ton of Batman fans were hoping Cotillard would be playing Talia al Goul, Batman’s lover and the daughter of Batman Begins villain Ra al Ghul. Granted, Miranda Tate could be an alias for Talia, especially considering a young Ra has already been cast for what looks potentially like a flashback. I would be alright either way.

What I like about these two new characters is that they are (presumably) allies for the two sides of Batman. John Blake will help Batman survive in a Gotham that sees him as a menace, and Miranda Tate will help Bruce stay tethered to his humanity. It’s an interesting juxtaposition that I look forward to seeing played out on the big screen.