Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play Alberto Falcone in new Batman

Joseph Gordon-Levitt will play The Holiday Killer in 'The Dark Knight Rises'.

The 'Inception' actor will take on the role of Alberto Falcone - the son of Mafia boss Carmine Falcone and a psychopathic serial killer who murders criminals linked to his father - in the third Christopher Nolan directed 'Batman' movie.

Alberto's father Carmine was played by British actor Tom Wilkinson in 'Batman Begins' and killed off by the superhero.

Joseph will join his 'Inception' co-star Tom Hardy who plays villain Bane in the movie, along with Anne Hathaway as Selena Kyle/Catwoman and Christian Bale as the titular star.

He has previously revealed he is thrilled to be reuniting with Christopher because he believes the filmmaker knows the best way to tell a story.

He said: "The thing about working for Chris Nolan is that even though the scale is so huge, he always prioritises the characters.

"He knows that no matter how cool the spectacle is, if you can't feel a genuine human movement it's boring.

"I think that's why people love his movies. That's why I love his movies."

Meanwhile, indie actress Juno Temple has been linked to a smaller role in the movie where she will reportedly play a "street-smart Gotham girl".

'The Dark Knight Rises' is scheduled for release on July 20, 2012.