Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Role in The Dark Knight Rises is Revealed

Casting News, News, Projects

So much for guessing games. Just a day after it was confirmed that Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be joining the cast of The Dark Knight Rises, we now know role the actor will play.

Variety is reporting that JGL won’t be playing The Riddler or Deadshot or even Black Mask. Instead, he’ll be playing Alberto Falcone, the son of Mafia chieftain Carmine Falcone. (Tom Wilkinson played Carmine in Batman Begins.)

So what’s so special about Alberto? Unlike certain enemies in The Dark Knight’s rogue gallery, Alberto isn’t cut from a cartoon cloth, like Mr. Freeze. The addition of Alberto Carmine again adheres to director Christopher Nolan’s notion of wanting to have realistic villains, knowing full and well that he doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes like Batman & Robin.

Those familiar with Batman’s past adventures in DC Comics already know much of Alberto Falcone. He was the notorious Holiday Killer and was featured in two seminal works by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory.

The Dark Knight Rises is again directed by Christopher Nolan, working from a script that he co-wrote with brother Jonathan, from a story outlined by Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer. Christian Bale reprises his role of The Dark Knight. Other returning stars include Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. New additions to the cast are Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway.

The Dark Knight will make his return in theaters on July 20, 2012.

As for Gordon-Levitt, his schedule is free having finished the David Koepp thriller Premium Rush (opening next January). Right now he’s filming the sci-fi pic Looper with Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt. You’ll be able to catch him later this year with the releases of indie drama Hesher, which was picked up at South by Southwest, and the Jonathan Levine cancer comedy 50/50 (previously titled “I’m with Cancer).

Travis Leamons is one of the Inside Pulse Originals and currently holds the position of Managing Editor at Inside Pulse Movies. He's told that the position is his until he's dead or if "The Boss" can find somebody better. I expect the best and I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun. That's an order!