The Notebook star Rachel Mcadams has become the red-hot favourite to replace new mom Katie Holmes as Batman's love interest.

Holmes dropped out of the Batman Begins sequel recently after originally playing Rachel Dawes opposite Christian Bale, and now McAdams is set to take her place.

According to insider website batman-on-film.com, McAdams is in negotiations to join the all-star cast of The Dark Knight, alongside Bale, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Heath Ledger and Sir Michael Caine.