So IMDb says that Tom Hardy is rumored to play Det. Harvey Bullock in 'Batman 3'. Granted IMDb isn't always correct in the long run, but in this case I sure hope they are. Here's a quick bio of Bullock if you're not familiar:
Detective Harvey Bullock is a lieutenant placed in the Gotham City Police Department to undermine James Gordon, Bullock became an honest cop, later working for the government's secret Checkmate organization before returning to Gotham. Seldom seen without either a doughnut or a cigar, Harvey had the respect of his colleagues and the vigilante heroes of the city. He was enraged when Commissioner James Gordon was shot, recently, and arranged for some mobsters to deal with the killer, Jordan Rich, who otherwise would have got away scott free. When this came to the attention of internal affairs, Bullock quit the force.
It would make sense as well that Bullock wasn't featured in the previous movies because as his bio states, he was off working with the government for awhile. This also presents an idea for the best conclusion to Chris Nolan's final Bat-flick. As Chris has said before, this will indeed be a conclusion to his story; and what better way to end it all with Batman deciding to stay on duty as Batman forever? (Get it? 'Forever'?) After all, he won't have much else of a choice now that Chris Nolan plans to KILL JIM GORDON. DUN DUN DUN DUN......
Did I say Chris Nolan? I'm sorry, I meant RED HOOD; Another idea I thought of while watching 'The Dark Knight' last night. The Joker may be gone in a sense that Heath Ledger's character won't be re-cast, but that doesn't mean the man behind the makeup went anywhere. As he predicted, the Joker and Batman are destined to be enemies forever. (There's that word again!) And come on, how cool would it be if at the end of the movie, Batman finally unmasks Red Hood and sees scars on the man's face? Scars that make sure he's 'always smiling'? I think another actor would be perfectly acceptable since Heath Ledger is barely recognizable underneath the clown makeup as well as the fact that this version of the character would be like a whole other person entirely. But since I'm a bit obsessive compulsive, my top choice is Joseph Gordon-Levitt since the two actors sort of look alike.
And just for kicks, let's say that Ra's al Ghul hired Joker to go after Batman. That would wrap things up pretty nicely if Nolan decides to go with a premise like this one. I mean, who needs the Riddler to complicate things when you can keep things familiar and stay focused on the original characters? The pay-off is always greater when everything turns out to be linked up and all the characters were connected throughout the entire trilogy even though they may not have known it. Think of the 'Back to the Future' trilogy and tell me I'm wrong...Didn't think so.