Since long before there was even a title for the third, and supposedly final installment in director Christopher Nolan‘s Bat-Trilogy, and even before he officially joined the cast, there have been numerous rumors about the character Joseph Gordon-Levitt would play.

First, people thought he would surely portray The Riddler, then it was surmised by a few people (that I consider insane) that he would fill the shoes of Heath Ledger and continue the role of The Joker on his behalf. Then, despite Nolan’s previous statements that the character would not appear in his films, rumors of Gordon-Levitt donning the cape of the Boy Wonder started circulating. The final rumor, that he was to portray Alberto Falcone “The Holiday Killer”, and son of Mafia chieftain Carmine Falcone, the character Tom Wilkinson played in Batman Begins, was actually reported as fact by a very prestigious source.

After that, Warner Bros. released an official casting announcement for both Gordon-Levitt and Marion Cotillard, with Gordon-Levitt portraying John Blake, a Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon, and Cotillard portraying Miranda Tate, a Wayne Enterprises board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne resume his father’s philanthropic endeavors for Gotham.

Now, we’re pretty sure by the video and images of Cotillard that were shot in Pennsylvania of her waltzing out of a building side-by-side with what appear to be armed henchmen of sorts (League of Shadows?), and climbing into a camouflaged, military version of Bats’ Tumbler, that she’s not just “Miranda Tate”. Most people are assuming (and I believe are right) that she’s portraying Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra’s al Ghul (Liam Neeson)… remembering that he was known as Henri Ducard at the start of Batman Begins.

Which logically leads us to believe that Gordon-Levitt is not just John Blake either. Why would Nolan cast a star like him to play ‘just’ a cop? So, is he actually Robin? Check out the video below for his own answer.

“[laughs] You know I can’t have this conversation, man [laughs]… I can’t have this conversation.”

So, Nolan’s turned him into a politician – don’t confirm, don’t deny.

Remember that back in March, when Juno Temple (Killer Joe, The Three Musketeers) was cast as “a street-smart Gotham girl”, rumors flew around the web that this “street-smart Gotham girl” could be none other than the female version of Robin, Carrie Kelly, who was seen in Frank Miller‘s comic series The Dark Knight Returns. Since then, rumors have also hit the web that she’s actually to portray The Joker’s sidekick, Harley Quinn.

Recently, Total Film reportedly received confirmation that Temple’s role is actually that of Holly Robinson. An excerpt from the magazine states:

“Then there’s the big one-The Dark Knight Rises, where Temple plays “street smart Gotham gal” Holly Robinson. Speculation has it that her Holly is the young prostitute first seen in Frank Miller’s Batman: Year One, and that she may be the sidekick to Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman.”

Temple responded to the report by saying,

“I can’t talk about that. But I think it’s going to be [frick]ing unbelievable. [Christopher Nolan] is awesome! There’s something really gentlemanly about him. He’s got an insane, incredible vision going on. Just getting the opportunity to work with him is awesome.”

What do you believe Mobsters? Is this all much ado about nothing? Is Gordon-Levitt dodging the question because he is in-fact playing Robin? If you think he is, then do you think Juno Temple‘s actual role is that of Harley Quinn as well? Let me know in the comments!

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ The Dark Knight Rises is the epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, Leading an all-star international cast, Oscar winner Christian Bale (The Fighter) again plays the dual role …of Bruce Wayne/Batman. The film also stars Anne Hathaway, as Selina Kyle; Tom Hardy, as Bane; Oscar winner Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose), as Miranda Tate; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, as John Blake. Returning to the main cast, Oscar winner Michael Caine (The Cider House Rules) plays Alfred; Gary Oldman is Commissioner Gordon; and Oscar winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby) reprises the role of Lucius Fox.

The Dark Knight Rises is slated to hit theaters on July 20th, 2012.