Actor Tom Hardy has recently stolen the show in films like Bronson and Inception, and apparently director Chris Nolan was impressed with Hardy's work in Inception, because he will apparently be working with the young up-and-coming leading man again in Batman 3, which is scheduled to begin shooting next year.

As the fates would have it, Hardy has time on his hands to shoot Batman 3, now that his lead role as Mad Max in Fury Road is in limbo, ever since production on that film stalled.

So on to the big question everyone will be wondering: who is Hardy going to play?

Well according to Deadline's brief report, Nolan has set Hardy up for a "lead role in the next Batman film." Warner Bros. is keeping quiet about whether that role is a villain, but it's undoubtedly the connection that most fans are immediately going to make. So let's discuss.

Hardy is probably one of my favorite young Hollywood leading men, well beyond the likes of Chris Pine or Sam Worthington. Hardy was phenomenal in Bronson and managed to steal scenes from his highly-regarded co-stars in Inception (Leo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt). I say all that to say: In my opinion it's not so much about which villain role Hardy is given, it's more about the fact that the role will benefit greatly from the talent of Tom Hardy.

Batman villains in Batman Live

Just to get the discussion going, I could see Hardy as any ONE of the following villains:

  • The Riddler
  • The Penguin
  • Black Mask
  • Killer Croc
  • Bane
  • Victor Freeze
  • The Clock King
  • Count Vertigo
  • Clayface
  • Catwoman (joking, joking)

Whichever villain is THE villain we ultimately see Hardy playing (if indeed it's a villain), I know he'll bring equal bits menace, charm and wit to the performance. I have no doubt that Chris Nolan has once again picked an actor who has the potential to make his villain truly iconic and awesome. I couldn't be happier with this news.

Stay tuned because this story is only just breaking and there are bound to be twists, turns and updates coming shortly.

In the meantime, Hardy will next star in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and McG's This Means War alongside Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon.

For now, how do you feel about Hardy in Batman 3?

Source: Deadline