Two of these actresses will likely star in The Dark Knight Rises, but which two?

The gymnastics going on at some entertainment sites to try and keep up with all rumors surrounding The Dark Knight Rises is funny to watch. Not that I'm any different, but let's just say sometimes it helps to sit on any story for a little while to see how things actually shake out. When it comes to the casting of the next Batman flick, it's almost a must to just wait and see.  So take yesterday. Two big time stories about the same thing: the lead female roles in TDKR. Both wildly contradictory, with one complaining that the roles have been cast and the next story only minutes later announcing a bunch more contenders for the same parts.  Huh?

The first story came from Collider, and I honestly hope it's the one that wins out. It states that Eva Green(The Dreamers) and Naomi Watts(Fair Game) have been cast as the two primary female roles in the film. Green would be Talia Al Ghul, the daughter of Ra's Al Ghul(played by Liam Neeson in Batman Begins) who reportedly would be seeking revenge for her father's death. The Al Ghul connection has been a rumor floating around for awhile, so it makes some sense. Watts, who had been mentioned on a shortlist of possible actresses back in November, would be stepping into the high heels of sexy photojournalist, Vicki Vale. Kim Basinger played Vale back in the Tim Burton directed Batman film back in 1989. Why they insist on using her character is beyond me.

But here comes the fun contradiction, as THR produced a whole new list of contenders for the very same roles Collider said have already been filled. What they've got includes some names we've already heard before, such as Keira Knightley and Anne Hathaway, but also includes Jessica Biel, Gemma Arterton, Charlotte Riley(who co-starred with Biel in Easy Virtue), and Kate Mara(Transsiberian).

With principle photography set to begin in May, you can bet we'll know who's correct soon enough. I think it's best to assume that both stories have some things right and some things wrong, with perhaps Green and Watts not being as locked down for the parts so much as in discussions. I'd love to see Anne Hathaway involved somehow, but if it's between her and Watts I'll take the Mulholland Drive star every single time.