Gordon-Levitt’s ‘Dark Knight’ role revealed

Now that Joseph Gordon–Levitt is set to reteam with his “Inception” director Christopher Nolan on “The Dark Knight Rises,” insiders tell Variety that Gordon-Levitt will play Alberto Falcone, the son of Mafia chieftain Carmine Falcone, the character Tom Wilkinson played in “Batman Begins.”

Alberto Falcone, who is also known as the Holiday Killer, would bring Nolan’s superhero trilogy full circle. The character fits with the helmer’s stated desire for continuity and preference to pit Bruce Wayne against “realistic” villains, as opposed to cartoonish nemeses such as Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy, whom Batman battled in Joel Schumacher’s 1997 misfire “Batman and Robin.”

While Nolan has elected to keep fans in the dark — for now — it’s known that Juno Temple is being eyed for a supporting role as a street-smart Gotham girl.

Warner Bros. and reps for both thesps declined to comment on casting and character rumors.

Nolan continues to fine-tune the script as the start of production grows closer. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker is also serving as a creative consultant on another WB superhero pic, Zack Snyder’s “Superman,” which now has Henry Cavill, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane onboard.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is scheduled for release on July 20, 2012.

Since Gordon-Levitt was first reported last month as being in talks for “Dark Knight,” he hasn’t signed on for any more projects, and his summer remains wide open. Thesp next stars opposite Natalie Portman in the indie drama “Hesher,” which Wrekin Hill will release in April. He’ll also be seen alongside Seth Rogen in Jonathan Levine’s cancer comedy “50/50,” which Summit will release on Sept. 30.

Gordon-Levitt recently wrapped David Koepp’s thriller “Premium Rush,” which Columbia plans to open in January. He’s currently filming Rian Johnson’s sci-fi pic “Looper,” with Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt.

Temple, who can now be seen in Jordan Scott’s “Cracks” and Gregg Araki’s “Kaboom,” has two Sundance pics in the can — Elgin James‘ “Little Birds” and last year’s festival hit “Dirty Girl.” She recently wrapped starring roles in the indies “Killer Joe” alongside Matthew McConaughey and Emile Hirsch, as well as “Jack and Diane.” In addition, thesp plays Queen Anne in Paul W.S. Anderson’s adaptation of “The Three Musketeers” and is gearing up to co-star in indie thriller “A Single Shot.”

Gordon-Levitt is repped by CAA, while UTA and Troika rep Temple.