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Montpelier  US Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont is renewing his fascination with Batman with a cameo appearance in "The Dark Knight Rises," which will get its first public showing in his home state.

Leahy was invited to be in the movie and says he learned recently he'll appear in a scene with Christian Bale, who plays Batman, and Morgan Freeman.

The movie will be screened July 15 in Williston ahead of its July 20 US premiere.

Leahy says Warner Bros CEO Barry Meyer will join him at the Vermont screening.

The Democratic senator has had a lifelong fascination with the Caped Crusader. In 2007, he appeared in "The Dark Knight." The Vermont showing will benefit a Montpelier children's library and a Burlington environmental education centre named for Leahy.