More casting rumors for ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ hath cometh. The Hollywood Reporter squeals that female leads are finally being ironed out. A slew of A-list actresses are after a role in the next Batman installment.

Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Biel (ew, no thanks) are all doing screen tests in the coming weeks. A few up-and-comers are also in the running. Kate Mara, Charlotte Riley and Gemma Arterton will also be testing.

The key here is that there might be room for more than one woman on set. Rumor has it that a love interest and female villain are in the works…

“Dark Knight Rises needs to fill two big female roles, a villain and a love interest. Sources say one character is Talia, the daughter of villain Ra’s Al Ghul, who was portrayed by Liam Neeson in Nolan’s first Gotham-set crime pic Batman Begins. In the comic books, Talia is both Batman’s lover and antagonist, ultimately siring his alter ego Bruce Wayne’s son.”

Charlotte is engaged to Tom Hardy who is already slated for an unspecified role in the third Batman flick. Perhaps she might have some leverage. It is also noted that Gemma has been casted to star in ‘Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters’ and may face schedule conflicts that could knock her out of the contender lineup.

We should have some concrete casting news soon. Filming is due to start in May.