After much speculation, Variety confirms that Maggie Gyllenhaal will indeed be replacing Katie Holmes in the role of Rachel Dawes in the Batman Begins sequel, The Dark Knight. On the one hand, anyone would be better in the role than Holmes, given the fact that she’s something of a square peg when it comes to films with big ensemble casts. It shouldn’t be so hard for a 27 year-old to play…. an adult, but dammit if Katie doesn’t suck at it. Gyllenhaal, by comparison, isn’t that bad of a trade-off.

On the other hand, the fact that Rachel Dawes is even returning just rubs me the wrong way. Depending on how she’s used, she might be tolerable, but I found her to be the worst thing in Batman Begins, and I was hoping with all my heart that Holmes’ decision to pass on the sequel would force filmmakers to realize how contrived and superfluous her character was. Not to mention the overwhelming lack of chemistry between Holmes and Christian Bale.

But this is Hollywood, folks, and it’s all about hitting those key demographics. So when it comes to comic book movies, playing up a romance is a good hook for bringing in the ladies. The problem is, the romance usually comes at the expense of a film’s story and/or primary character development. However unintentional it may be, certain comic book films tend to devolve into the hero needing to prove himself to the love interest. No matter what villainous scheme he has to stop in the third act, you can bet he’ll have to save the girl, too. Especially if she’s dumber than pie crust, like Lois Lane in Superman Returns.