Tom Hardy for strange Batman role

Los Angeles – Tom Hardy is expected to play Dr Hugo Strange in the forthcoming Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises.

The Inception actor – who has been confirmed for a role alongside Christian Bale as the titular character – has been revealed by a fan site to be portraying the police psychologist obsessed with Batman.

Batman News, the fan site that revealed the information, has previously been correct about news regarding the movie, including rumours that Rachel Weisz and Anne Hathaway are vying for the lead female role.

The film's director, Christopher Nolan, has previously revealed The Dark Knight Rises will not feature the Riddler as previously thought.

He said: "It won't be the Riddler. We'll use many of the same characters as we have all along, and we'll be introducing some new ones."

He also revealed the movie will not be shot in 3D as many has expected and will instead using high definition cameras for an IMAX release.

Sir Michael Caine is also expected to reprise the role of butler Alfred for the movie.

The Dark Knight Rises will be released in 2012.