Batman 3 – Tom Hardy back with Nolan

After his critically acclaimed performance in the hit film Inception, Tom Hardy’s career has been on the fast track. He has four films lined up for next year, as well as the titular role of Max in Mad Max: Fury Road. In addition to that, he has been offered a starring role in the next Batman film, according to Deadline. The role is being kept under wraps at the moment, but many believe it will most likely be a villain role. Chris Nolan returns as director for the Batman film. He reunites with Hardy, with whom he directed in Inception.

A lot of the cast from the The Dark Knight return to this yet-to-be titled Batman film. They include Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine.

Before his breakout role in Inception, Hardy already had a distinguished career on the stage. He was nominated for a 2004 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Most Promising Newcomer of 2003 in a Society of London Theatre Affliate for his performance in In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings performed at the Hampstead Theatre.

And he was awarded the 2003 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer for his performances in Blood and In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings performed at the Royal Court Theatre Downstairs and Hampstead Theatre.

He followed Inception with lead roles in the Tomas Alfredson-directed adaptation of the John Le Carre novel Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and he’s currently starring with Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon in the McG-directed Fox comedy This Means War.

The Batman film is scheduled to open in the U.S. July 20, 2012.