Plans are afoot for the next Batman movie, and the probable actors to play the Joker's role could be Paul Bettany and Sean Penn.

Katie Holmes, who starred in "Batman Begins", will not be returning for the sequel, reports Internet Movie Database

Bettany had played Russel Crowe's sidekick in "A Beautiful Mind" and "Master and Commander". Penn is the Oscar-winner for "Mystic River" and is considered by many to be the best actor of his generation.

The role of the Joker was originally essayed by the legend Jack Nicholson in the first Batman in 1989. At that time it was the highest paid role in Hollywood.