As my colleague Sam just proclaimed, what's the big deal about The Dark Knight Rises? Sure it's going to be one hell of a film, but does the fact that it's the follow-up to a billion-dollar success and what many consider to be the best superhero movie ever mean that we have to go into a frenzy every time an actor is cast? Yes, yes it does.

The reason is because TDKR represents the passing of an age; the end of the best era of superhero cinema and the beginning of another. So when each and every lucky thespian gets the opportunity to join what will be a historical production, it deserves mention. Today it's Juno Temple, who we recently reported was in talks to work on the film as a "street-smart Gotham girl." Variety now confirms that she's locked into that ambiguous role, so speculation now begins over who that girl is.

Based on her appearance, I originally pegged Temple as Harley Quinn, the Joker's twisted gal-pal who became a fan favorite on the animated series from the '90s. But since the Clown Prince is surely not appearing in TDKR, I think it's safe to rule that assumption out. Perhaps the part is small and the young actress (and rising star) will simply play a teenager who gets caught up in Gotham's underworld or perhaps she's on her way to a meatier role. Time will tell as we move forward toward the film's start date.

Source: Variety