The actor has been approached by the film`s director Chris Nolan for a lead role in the latest instalment about the caped crusader and although insiders are keeping his part a secret, it is thought he will play a villain. Tom was recently announced as Mel Gibson`s replacement in the fourth `Mad Max` movie and is best-known for his roles as Praetor Shinzon in `Star Trek: Nemesis` and Eames in `Inception`. Rumours about the cast for the third `Batman` movie have been circulating for months and Sir Michael Caine recently revealed he "assumes" he will be in it. The 77-year-old actor - who has starred as butler Alfred in `Batman Begins` and `The Dark Knight` - believes the third film will begin shooting in spring 2011. He said: "There will be a new `Batman`. It will probably start in May next year. I assume I`m there, but in the movie business you never believe anything, you assume. "But I`ve been in the last four Chris Nolan pictures, he`s my lucky charm. I did `Prestige`, and recently `Inception`, I`m hoping to do another one. He`s written the new one." Christian will once again take on the role of Batman.