holy batman.

For a while now, it has been rumored that the amazing Tom Hardy (Eames of Inception fame) will be re-teaming with director Chris Nolan for the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. Despite my adoration for Hardy's accent and out-of-this-world looks, I can't deny that a little piece of me died when the whole Johnny-Depp-as-the-Riddler thing went out the window. Seriously: just imagine how incredibly mind-blowing his performance would have been.

After the initial shock wore off (I'm not the only one that was pushing for Johnny!), rumors are now circulating that Hardy will play villain and police psychiatrist Dr. Hugo Strange.

While the film won't be released until July 2012, plans are already underway. Christian Bale will be reprising the role of Bruce Wayne, and as we all know, we will mourn the end of the Joker, so cleverly portrayed by the late Heath Ledger. Nolan is auditioning leading ladies, the rumored list including Keira Knightly, Blake Lively (she's already in The Green Lantern), Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts, Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway. I can't wait to see who he chooses (my vote goes to Natalie or Anne).

I have no doubts that Tom will be great -- he's an unexpected choice, much like Heath--but the rumors have been running rampant since the last movie. Who else were you envisioning as the next Batman villain?