The South African actress, who won a Best Actress Oscar for playing serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003 film Monster, was overjoyed to learn that she has joned high profile contenders Megan Fox and Angelina Jolie as one of the stars up for the coveted role previously played by Eartha Kitt, Julie Newmar, and Halle Berry.

“That’s kick-ass news…. I think what has happened to that franchise is amazing. CHRIS NOLAN is a genius. I would be an idiot to not consider that part,” Charlize told The Daily Express this week.

If a report from British tabloid The Sun is to be believed, the brunette stunner will follow in the footsteps of Michelle Pfeiffer (1992) and Halle Berry (2003) when she slips into the sleek catsuit for the role of the feline vixen in director Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to 2008’s box office smash The Dark Knight.

Megan is also a favorite to play Lara Croft – the role made famous by Angelina Jolie – in a new Tomb Raider movie.

Shooting for the film is expected to begin next year for a 2011 box office opening.

Chace Crawford wants to play the Caped Crusader.

The Gossip Girl actor would love to follow in the footsteps of Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, and most recently Christian Bale to star as Batman on the big screen.

Chace, 23, says: “I’d absolutely love to go into movies. ‘Gossip Girl’ is a very good platform for everyone on the show. If I could play anyone it’d probably be Batman.”

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Aaron Eckhart, stars of the eagerly-awaited new Batman thriller, The Dark Knight, were featured guests on The Today Show on Wednesday. The performers joined Today host Matt Lauer in a discussion about the film, which is sure to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the Summer.

The latest installment in the Batman franchise won’t hit theaters until July 18th, but the first five minutes of the Summer Blockbuster, Batman: The Dark Knight, have already leaked online. Enjoy!