Nestor Carbonell Back In 'The Dark Knight Rises'


The mayor of Gotham City has returned...

Exclusive: The Mayor of Gotham is returning to office.

Nestor Carbonell is in negotiations to reprise his role as Gotham's Mayor in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises."

Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman are all returning for Warner Bros.' superhero sequel. They'll be joined by franchise newcomers Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Juno Temple, Josh Pence and Daniel Sunjata. Diego Klattenhoff and Burn Gorman are also being eyed for supporting roles.

Nolan, who penned the screenplay with his brother Jonathan, will produce with his longtime producing partner Emma Thomas, as well as Charles Roven. Production is slated to start this summer in Pittsburgh.

Warner Bros. will release "The Dark Knight Rises" on July 20, 2012.

Carbonell is best known for playing the ageless Richard Alpert on ABC's "Lost." He recently wrapped the CBS drama pilot "Ringer," which stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, and will soon be seen alongside Oscar Isaac and Eva Longoria in the historical drama "Cristiada."

Carbonell is repped by Paradigm and Thruline Entertainment.

Thanks to Variety for the scoop.