Tom Hardy up for the villainous lead of X-Men: Apocalypse

In a week absolutely chock full of casting and superhero movie news, with the likes of DC revealing their entire superhero movie slate up until 2020, Marvel's shortlist of top actors for Dr Strange revealed, DC's high profile actors being chased for Suicide Squad including Ryan Gosling and a Hunger Games actress set to be on set of Batman V Superman as Robin. It's nevertheless surprising to get another casting rumour and one for Fox's X-Men after a week of DC & Marvel news is a pleasant surprise.

According to IGN, Tom Hardy is being approached to take the role of the titular villain Apocalypse in the upcoming 2016 X-Men: Apocalypse the follow up to this year's rather excellent X-Men: Days of Future Past. Well known for portraying the man hulk that is Bane in the Dark Knight Rises, this could certainly be another physically enduring role for Tom Hardy, an actor who always embodies his roles in every way he can.

It is said, that whilst there's no definite confirmation of Hardy signing on for the role he is apparently being actively courted by Fox for their movie. Of course as revealed in other news this week and as reported by Deadline Tom Hardy is 'Close to signing on' for DC's Suicide Squad and given that films expected launch of 2016 would mean a conflict between the two. We wonder if Hardy is fielded with offers for both movies which he would choose?

What do you think about Hardy playing the titular villain of X-Men: Apocalypse, is this a good choice for him? We're not convinced we think he'd be better suited to a role in DC's Suicide Squad and would get a lot more out of it as an actor. Who would you like to see him play?

Ben Corbett-Mills / @benleopards

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