The Dark Knight Rises First Look: Tom Hardy as Bane

The publicity machine for The Dark Knight Rises is officially revving up.

A promotional image of Tom Hardy as Bane has been released, along with a Twitter handle called @TheFireRises and a new website. Check out the image right here:

Christian Bale, of course, will return to the franchise as Bruce Wayne/Batman, while Gary Oldman comes back back as Commissioner Gordon. Aside from Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt will appear as John Blake, a special assignment cop.

Moreover, Anne Hathaway has signed on as Catwoman, while Marion Cotillard will portray Miranda Tate, a Wayne Enterprises employee. The movie will come out in on July 20, 2012.