Although Heath Ledger hasn't officially announced that he won't be returning to the role of the Joker, we're guessing that in this case, silence gives assent.  And with the question of whether or not there will be a new Batman movie easily answered by a quick peek at its gargantuan box-office numbers, speculation is beginning to turn to who will play the villain in the next installment.  

Amongst the hottest rumors, despite an official denial by franchise hack David S. Goyer, are that Johnny Depp will step into the franchise as the Riddler, or that Philip Seymour Hoffman will take on the role of the Penguin.  Those are perfectly acceptable choices, classic Batman villains assayed by two of our most accomplished actors.  But in terms of sheer, white-hot, skin-tight buzz generation, they can't hold a candle to our favorite rumor, which is that Angelina Jolie will be playing Catwoman.  

Having secured the "blessing" of beloved TV Catwoman Julie Newmar -- who has about as much say in the matter as I do -- to take on the role, Jolie, according to the highly respectable sources at the New York Post's Page Six, has begun consulting her "gal pal", porn star (and, apparently, hardcore Catwoman fan) Tera Patrick about how she should play the role.  Frankly, there's not much more to it than putting on a tight-fitting costume, flitting about seductively, and purring at Batman, but if Angelina wants to cozy up with the star of Filthy Fuckers #194:  Suck My Handle, who are we to argue? 

According to the Post, "Tera had such insights into the role that Jolie cracked, 'You should do it!'"  The Screengrab fully supports this casting decision.