News Bites

I’ve never really thought of Anne Hathaway as a “bad girl.” In fact, quite the opposite. She strikes me as the kind of girl other girls want to be BFFs forever with and guys want to take home to meet Mom. She’s charmed her way into being America’s new sweetheart, and roles like Mia in The Princess Diaries and Andrea in The Devil Wears Prada have cemented that status.

I’ve always thought of her as a kindred spirit of sorts. We’re both brunettes with warm brown eyes who have that sort of girl-next-door appeal. Aside from the fact that she’s much prettier, way cooler and a lot more rich and famous, we’re almost exactly alike! OK, maybe not. But I was pleasantly surprised to hear that she will be indulging her inner “mean girl” in her next role, and she definitely won’t be as cute as kittens the next time you see her on screen. She’s signed on to play Selina Kyle – otherwise known as Catwoman – in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.

I actually think this will be a good change of pace for her. She’s certainly not the first actress to play Catwoman (I can think of five others), but I think she can pull it off well. Hathaway is a talented actress, and I’m looking forward to seeing her release her inner vixen on screen.

Tom Hardy also joined the cast as Bane. The Dark Knight Rises is set to hit theaters July 20, 2012.

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Before The Dark Knight Rises, Hathaway has one more project to get out of the way. She’s co-hosting the Oscars. Joining her on stage for the Academy Awards will be James Franco.

Now, Franco is an incredibly talented actor, but I’m a firm believer that his best performance isn’t on the big screen. It’s on the small screen. And fans will have the opportunity to see him one more time.

Franco is returning to General Hospital for two more episodes in February, and I, for one, cannot wait. His character (named Franco – what else?!) was last seen faking his own death at a very public art show, escaping the clutches of mob hitman Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and detective Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna). Come on – that’s even more fun that Pineapple Express, right?! Rumor has it that his appearance will be a prelude to an even bigger story. Which begs the question – what will happen to the residents of Port Charles? (Cue over-the-top soap opera orchestra music.) Tune in at the end of February to find out.

OK, I don’t really think Franco’s self-named alter ego is actually his best performance. But it’s fun, and I like that he’s willing to take chances like that.

And by the way, genius tie-in, ABC. Franco’s episodes will bookend his Academy Awards appearance, airing on Feb. 25 and 28. You can watch him co-host the Oscars at 8 p.m. EST on Feb. 27.