Apparently, filming production is now underway on the set of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises because new photos of a very beefy-looking Tom Hardy have surfaced from the set. To be honest, there is nothing about the photos that look particularly Batman-esque … but Hardy, who will play the villain Bane in the film, looks pretty damn good … both in and out of his shirt.

The first photo from the set of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy ending sequel The Dark Knight Rises has arrived, which features fan Ash Harper snapping a photo with Tom Hardy. While not an official image from the Warner Bros. set, it offers a good look at Tom Hardy in Bane mode … Two new photos have arrived from the set of The Dark Knight Rises, which will be released in theaters on July 20, 2012. Click on these new shots below, which feature actor Tom Hardy sporting his new bald and muscular look to portray the villain Bane.

I’m not certain why it is believed that these photos were taken on the Batman set but I am not complaining. As much as I really don’t mind the shirtless sight of Tom Hardy flexing for the cameras, I am really looking forward to seeing him in costume as Bane. If these photos really are coming from the Batman set, it’s feasible we may get to see him in costume very soon. As for these photos, what do y’all think? Does Tom Hardy make a great Bane or what?

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