Marion Cotillard Rumored for 'The Dark Knight Rises', Joining 'Inception' Co-Stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hardy

Christopher Nolan must have really liked working with the cast of "Inception". First, Tom Hardy was confirmed as Bane. Next, Joseph Gordon-Levitt was confirmed. Gordon-Levitt has been much discussed throughout the casting process, as many thought he would play The Riddler; while Riddler has been ruled out, JGL will still be in the film in another role.

Now, rumors are swirling that Marion Cotillard (who played the vindictive Mal in "Inception") will be joining the cast of "The Dark Knight Rises" as well.

The report comes from the French newspaper Le Figaro, which says that Cotillard will be doing one film this year, and it will be the third installment in the Batman series.

The news is surprising, as Cotillard is pregnant and due in May. However, the shooting schedule for the movie runs through to November, which should allow Cotillard plenty of time to recover and spend time with her newborn before filming her scenes, so long as she doesn't have a large role.

Speaking of which, whom will Cotillard be playing in the Batman universe?

There has been plenty of speculation about Talia Al Ghul, daughter of Ra's Al Ghul (Liam Neeson's role in "Batman Begins") and often a romantic interest for Batman, being a character in the upcoming film.

Cotillard, having shown her dark side in "Inception", could certainly handle the semi-villainous role, and is the correct age to play opposite Christian Bale.

If this is true, we could be seeing a whole new love triangle, following the Dent-Dawes-Wayne triangle in "The Dark Knight", between Batman, Talia, and Catwoman, the latter role having recently been filled by Anne Hathaway.

Of course, this is all rumor at the moment. However, Le Figaro is a legitimate and long-standing news source, so chances are fairly good that Cotillard will be involved in the movie somehow. If so, the cross-overs between "Inception" and the Batman movies will be numerous: Ken Watanabe (as the fake Ra's in "Batman Begins"), Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard...who's next? Leonardo DiCaprio as Robin?