English actor Tom Hardy may be following the footsteps of the late Heath Ledger when it comes to acting in the latest film "The Dark Knight Rises." However, the actor revealed to CNN at the movie's premiere last Monday that he is indeed feeling the pressure of having to be the villain after Ledger's incredible acting and spectacular unhinged performance as The Joker.

Moviegoers will be introduced to the bad guy and brutal character named Bane that Tom Hardy portrays when the "The Dark Knight Rises" opens in cinemas this week. Film critics are even hailing the movie "The Dark Knight Rises" as filmmaker Christopher Nolan's best. However, even the most impressed among these critics has pointed out that this movie follow-up to the "The Dark Knight" back in 2008 lacks the unique quality that Australian actor Heath Ledger brought that made the Batman film such a blockbuster hit.

Heath Ledger turned in an Oscar-winning performance with his portrayal of the villain character The Joker in "The Dark Knight." Sadly, Ledger died the same year when the film was released due to prescription drugs accidental overdose.

"Of course, the work that Heath did was so incredible and it was brilliant," Hardy said. "And it's unfortunate that he's not with us today as well, so there's a double bind there in many ways," the actor further added. For Tom Hardy, it has been a tremendous responsibility and opportunity to kind of follow the footsteps of Heath Ledger who was so brilliant and has now become legendary with his role as The Joker.

"So I'm just grateful to be part of the family, actually, the Batman, Chris Nolan family. And that I got brought in to be the villain in this film," Hardy shared. The promising actor also added that if all goes well for "The Dark Knight Rises," there is no doubt that the audiences will also despise his character. "Hopefully! One way or the other they will!" Hardy exclaimed.

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