'Batman 3' Casts 'Inception' Star Tom Hardy as Possible Villain

With all this talk about Superman, we keep forgetting that Warner Bros. is also gearing up to shoot another big superhero film with the third installment of Christopher Nolan's 'Batman' franchise. Most (if not all) of the same cast will be returning (Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine), but this time around Bruce Wayne will need a new love interest and a new villain or two to square off against.

Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson) to play "a lead role" in the new Batman movie, presumably as one of the main villains since, other than a replacement for Harvey Dent, there doesn't seem to be anyone else for him to play. Because Hardy is so versatile, the list of villains he could potentially play is pretty long – from The Riddler to Killer Croc, there are a number of large-and-in-charge bad boys this actor could take on. Getting things underway, it appears as if Nolan has chosen ) to play "a lead role" in the new Batman movie, presumably as one of the main villains since, other than a replacement for Harvey Dent, there doesn't seem to be anyone else for him to play. Because Hardy is so versatile, the list of villains he could potentially play is pretty long – from The Riddler to Killer Croc, there are a number of large-and-in-charge bad boys this actor could take on.

Batman 3 cast yet, though if Nolan is picking and choosing from his Inception cast, look for names like Batman 3 (which isn't the film's official name; we're just calling it that until they give it one) will hit theaters on July 20th, 2012. No other additions to thecast yet, though if Nolan is picking and choosing from hiscast, look for names like Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Riddler?) and Marion Cottilard (Catwoman?) to also be tossed around before things are finalized.(which isn't the film's official name; we're just calling it that until they give it one) will hit theaters on July 20th, 2012.

Which villain do you want Hardy to play?