Gyllenhaal Replaces Holmes in Batman Sequel

The sequel to Batman Begins, which revitalized the Batman franchise, is in the works. Christopher Nolan will return to direct The Dark Knight, and his brother Jonathan has already written the script from a story by Nolan and David Goyer.

The original cast is nearly intact. Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Gary Oldman will all reprise their roles in the sequel to the 2005 hit. The only exception is the marked absence of Katie Holmes, who played Assistant DA Rachel Dawes, the love interest of Batman/Bruce Wayne. According to the star's representatives, scheduling conflicts are to blame.

Rachel Dawes, however, will be returning, this time around played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. The actress has most recently starred in Sherrybaby, in which she plays an ex-con, and in Will Ferrell's Stranger Than Fiction, as the love interest of Ferrell's character. Other major new additions to the cast are Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart. Eckhart will reprise the role of DA Harvey Dent, previously played by Tommy Lee Jones. And Ledger will undertake the challenge of following in Jack Nicholson's footsteps with Batman's arch-nemesis, the Joker.