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Rachel Dawes is a fictional character created for the 2005 Batman film Batman Begins. She was portrayed in the film primarily by Katie Holmes and as a child in flashback scenes by Emma Lockhart. Maggie Gyllenhaal will replace Holmes as Dawes in the 2008 sequel The Dark Knight. [1]

Rachel was a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne. Rachel's mother worked for Bruce's parents, and the two would often play together on the grounds of Wayne Manor. After Bruce's parents were murdered by Joe Chill in a botched mugging attempt, Rachel's mother sought other employment and left Wayne Manor with Rachel. She and Bruce remained close, yet their friendship was never the same.

Rachel enrolled in law school and got an internship at Gotham's District Attorney's office. After Chill was killed for testifying against Carmine Falcone, Bruce revealed to Rachel that he intended to kill Chill himself. Rachel was very upset with Bruce and their meeting ended abruptly. Soon after that, Bruce left the United States and Rachel graduated from law school. Rachel became an Assistant District Attorney in her and Bruce's hometown, Gotham City. She had a relationship with her boss, District Attorney Carl Finch, but it didn't work out.

Rachel dedicated her career to eliminating crime in Gotham, which made enemies of Falcone and Dr. Jonathan Crane. Falcone eventually sent two thugs to kill her. She was rescued by Gotham's mysterious vigilante, Batman. Around the same time, Bruce returned to Gotham. Rachel was surprised that he didn't call her, and was later disappointed at his apparent playboy lifestyle.

Later, she was drugged by Dr. Crane at Arkham Asylum. Batman rescued her again, administered an antidote and told her that was Crane working with a terrorist organization called the League of Shadows. He then gave instructions to her for a plan to save the city from the League's attack. Rachel delivered samples of an anti-toxin to Batman's ally, Gotham City Police Department detective James Gordon. The League started a riot in a bad part of the city The Narrows, and Rachel was trapped. She was attacked by Crane again, who now insisted on being called "Scarecrow". She defended herself and a boy who was with her by firing a taser at the insane doctor, between the eyeholes of his mask. Soon, the city was overrun by Arkham Asylum patients who the League had released. Rachel and the boy were surrounded by Victor Zsasz and several others. The boy was certain Batman would save them, and he did. After placing the two safely on a rooftop, Batman gave Rachel a hint as to his secret identity. Rachel then realized that her masked savior was Bruce, and he left to continue his duties.

One morning after the riot was over, Rachel went to the ruins of the Wayne Manor, which had been burned down by the League. Rachel and Bruce reconciled years after their argument. Despite their mutual love, Rachel could not be with Bruce while he was also Batman. She kissed him goodbye and left Bruce.

The character and casting of Rachel Dawes in Batman Begins has been criticized. Holmes was nominated for the titled of Worst Supporting Actress by the 2005 Golden Raspberry Awards.

Holmes was recently recast with the Rachel role going to Maggie Gyllenhaal.