New year, new Batman?

Sad but true. The Dark Knight Rises may be uber hard-core Christian Bale's final show as crime-fighting superhero Batman. Set for release in July 2012, this movie will be his third time as Gotham's Caped Crusader. The first in the franchise was Batman Begins (2005) which was followed by The Dark Knight (2008).

"I wrapped a few days ago, so that will be the last time I'm taking that cowl [Batman hood] off," Bale told the newspaper during an interview in Beverly Hills. "I believe that the whole production wrapped yesterday, so it's all done. Everything is finished. It's me and Chris -- that will be the end of that Batman era."

Joining Bale in The Dark Knight Rises are Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anne Hathaway, as Catwoman.

Film actors who have preceded Bale in the dual role of Batman and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, include Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney.