And although his plans to play Mad Max in the George Miller-directed “Mad Max: Fury Road” has hit another snag, the burgeoning superstar sits atop the heap for another high profile role at Warner Bros.

Deadline reports that “Inception” helmer, Christopher Nolan, has selected Hardy for a lead role in the third “Batman” film.

Naturally, all involved are tight-lipped about exactly what role Hardy will be playing, refusing to even comment on whether he’ll be a good guy or a bad guy.

Hardy is currently starring with Chris Pine and Reese Witherspoon in the McG-directed Fox comedy “This Means War.”

Deadline reports that Renner won’t replace, but rather star alongside, Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible 4,” which will be directed by Brad Bird (“Ratatouille,” “The Incredibles”) and produced by Cruise and the prolific J.J. Abrams.

“Mission” marks the second major leading role for the 39-year-old star who was recently cast as the superhero Hawkeye in Marvel Studios’ giant ensemble event picture, “The Avengers” (2012), to be directed by Joss Whedon.

Renner’s casting fills the last prominent piece in Paramount’s development of the film, and gives the studio a reliable and respected option to continue the franchise in the future, should Cruise bequeath his primary protagonist status in future films (though Cruise is expected to be back at least for no. 5).

Other top contenders for the role were rising star, Tom Hardy (“Bronson”) and “Star Trek’s” Chris Pine.  Kevin Zegers, Christopher Egan and Anthony Mackie (Renner’s “Hurt Locker” co-star) were also considered.

The script was penned by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec.

Filming will take place in the U.S., Vancouver, Prague and Dubai.

Variety reports that Pine, nearing final negotiations with Paramount, would get top-billing as the daring CIA analyst made famous by Tom Clancy’s popular novels.

Paramount Film Group president Adam Goodman told the pub, “Tom Clancy created an unforgettable character with Jack Ryan. With Chris in this role, we’ve taken our first step in creating a re-boot that lives up to the successful lineage of the franchise.”

Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mace Neufeld are set to produce, and are actively working on an original concept with screenwriter Hossein Amini.

As of yet, there is no projected release date which means Pine may shoot Abram’s “Star Trek” sequel before the Ryan project goes into production.

Pine would be the fourth actor to portray the iconic character in a feature film following Alec Baldwin’s maiden performance in 1990’s “The Hunt for Red October,” Harrison Ford’s run as Ryan in 1992’s “Patriot Games” and 1994’s “Clear and Present Danger,” and Ben Affleck’s turn in 2002’s “The Sum of All Fears.”

Already cast in the project are Liam Neeson as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith, and Bradley Cooper as Lt. Templeton “Faceman” Peck.

It was once rumored that rapper The Game, had been tapped for the role of Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus until UFC fighter Quinton Ramone Jackson ended up nabbing the gig.

The Joe Carnahan-directed flick has already begun shooting in Vancouver, Canada, so now all eyes are on who will assume the role of the team’s pilot, Capt. H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock. The guys over at Black Film report that a reliable source is indicating “District 9″ star, Sharlto Copley, has been offered the job.  It is not yet confirmed if he has accepted the offer.

Among those thought to be in the running for the role either include or did include (depending your source) Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, Timothy Olyphant, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Chris Pine and Robert Downey Jr.

With “District 9′s” unexpected success, which many attribute to Copley’s exceptional performance, it’s likely the actor will see his resume get a big boost over the next few years.

In Trekkie (or is it Trekker?) lore there is a well known “curse” that affects only the odd-numbered films in the series, e.g., “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” disappointed critics and fans alike while “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” is arguably the greatest of them all.  The rest of the series has generally followed this off-and-on pattern.  “Star Trek” is the 11th installment causing many loyalists to experience genuine reservations based solely on that strangely accurate pattern.  No joke.  And if Abrams didn’t have his hands full already with a nasty fanboy curse set against him, film versions of niche franchises like “Star Trek” seem to be destined for failure equipped with a built-in self-destruct mechanism: the fans.

Rabid fans and die-hard loyalists demand continuity in the mythology, reverence for the lore, and the advancement of and deference to the ideals and philosophies established in a series’ maiden voyage.  General audiences demand a well-written, well-crafted, action-packed, thrilling good time.  The un-winnable war of pleasing both parties spells the untimely demise of too many young, over-confident, idealistic filmmakers.  So does Abrams, co-creator of “Lost,” manage to buck the trend and strike a balance?  Or does he play it safe and cater to one side or the other?  Rest easy fanboys.  If the “odd-numbered curse” exists, it is no more.  “Star Trek” is unequivocally this beloved franchise’s new shining star.

Directors have struggled for decades to make universally appealing films out of decidedly partial material.  Just take a look at Zack Snyder’s dramatic failure in his adaptation of Alan Moore’s hallowed “Watchmen.”  So how did Abrams pull it off?  He took a page right out of James Tiberius Kirk’s own book of tricks, and broke all the rules.  That’s how.

Alternate reality.  It’s brilliant.  This way, Abrams can set up a new generation of films based on the younger versions of the original crew without screwing (too much) with the established canon.  That’s very James T. Kirk of you Mr. Abrams, you sly dog, you.  And though the complicated time travel scenario that the filmmakers invent in order to throw Leonard Nimoy into the mix is completely illogical, it’s fun to watch.  And let’s face it, it’s in keeping with the franchise’s strong tradition of ridiculous scenarios.

“Star Trek” is the perfect reboot film for an ailing series.  This thing is jam-packed with action from start to finish.  The visual effects are cutting edge and spectacular.  And the performances, the main concern of fans worried about their heroes being desecrated by a younger generation of actors with no respect for the characters, are surprisingly pitch perfect.

Chris Pine as Kirk, Karl Urban as Bones, Zoe Saldana as Uhuru, and Simon Pegg as Scotty avoid falling into the trap of doing impressions of their iconic characters.  They all manage to capture the essence of the original cast while forging their own creations.

The most impressive performance of all is Zachary Quinto’s as the emotionless Vulcan, Spock.  Quinto is the spitting image of Nimoy and uncannily infuses deep emotion and nuance into a character with a permanent poker face.

“Star Trek” is a success.  A dazzling, populist revival of a limping franchise that will satisfy and entertain the masses and reinvigorate the base.  With such impressive skills to please, maybe Abrams should go into politics.

May this new incarnation live long, and prosper.