FILM TOPIC: Batman's Leading Ladies

It annoys me that every time they cast a female character in the new Batman franchise, the actress is never as A-list as Christian Bale. Maybe the big names ask for too much, refuse to play second fiddle, or aren't interested, but then we end up with Katie Holmes and Maggie Gyllenhaal. I'm not saying that…at least one of those actresses isn't impressive, but as the franchise grows—or comes to an end actually—the female casting isn't getting any better.

For the next film in the series, The Dark Knight Rises, the two leading lady roles might go to Charlize Theron and Vera Farmiga. Theron has been offered the role of "Detective Sarah Essen, the new love interest for Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman). In the comics, Essen was partnered with Gordon and later had an affair with the married detective and is implied to be the real mother of Barbara Gordon (aka. Batgirl)." Farmiga auditioned to play "Julie Madison who will serve as Bruce Wayne's new love interest. In the comics, the character was a socialite who becomes engaged to Wayne but is unaware of his Batman identity and later becomes associated with the villain Clayface."

Again, both actresses are great and I really appreciate that they're not inappropriately in their early 20s, but the last time Theron was relevant was in '03, and Farmiga is more of a character actress than a glossy action film star—she looks past the age to even pull that off. Plus, Oldman and Theron? Everything that's wrong with that pairing can be found in his last name alone. I'd buy Oldman with Farmiga, and Theron with Bale sooner than I'd buy the reverse pairing, but there are so many other currently popular actresses that they could choose from.

If they want to go indie, why not Rebecca Hall? Granted, she's 28, but she's an old soul and she held her own opposite the 38-year-old Ben Affleck this summer in The Town. If innocent-but-spirited is the goal, then try Rachel McAdams. For the best of both worlds, Emily Blunt is always golden. And if they want hot, low-budget, and relevant, then Evangeline Lilly is free.

There's something to be said about actors of equal fame and prestige being cast as romantic costars—from Robert Downey Jr. & Gwyneth Paltrow to the latest pairing of Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone. The film benefits tremendously when the connection between the lovers is electric. And if there's anything this current Batman franchise lacks it's a solid love story.

Who do you think should be cast in the film?