Rumours that actor Tom Hardy is to play supervillain Professor Hugo Strange in the next Batman film are reportedly untrue.
According to Batman-on-Film, a source who is working on The Dark Knight Rises confirms that Hardy won’t be playing the original Batman villain.
The casting rumour began after it was reported that Nolan was taking inspiration for the film from the comic book storyline ‘Prey’, in which psychiatrist Professor Strange becomes obsessed with discovering Batman’s secret identity.
It has not been revealed who Hardy will portray in the film, but an announcement is expected be made in early 2011.
It had been strongly rumoured that The Riddler would feature as the film’s main villain until Nolan himself dismissed the idea earlier this year.
The Dark Knight Rises is due to be released in cinemas on July 20, 2012.