When it comes to the upcoming episode of Star Wars, the casting agents have had it pretty easy. They’ve just been sipping Budweiser, watching Family Guy and frantically crying with every spare minute they have, because they don’t know what to do with Carrie Fisher’s Leia Organa in Star Wars IX.

Luckily for them, at least Oscar-nominee Tom Hardy hasn’t fuelled the rumour mill that he may be appearing as a Stormtrooper.

Oh, that wink means he has, doesn’t it?

Following rumours that – sigh – Gary Barlow could be portraying one of the dark side’s soldiers, Tom Hardy spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, and discussed the idea that the Mad Max: Fury Road star may perform in a similar role to Daniel Craig, who had a brief cameo as a Stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

When questioned about his reported role, Tom said “I don’t know if I can even say that. Where did you hear that?”. He seemingly laughed off the suggestion when the Internet was revealed to be the source of the rumour, saying “Ah, the internet is a glorious web of deceit and misinformation, isn’t it?”

But when The Hollywood Reporter asked if it was just misinformation, he responded with “It could be, couldn’t it?” How coy is that?! My nipple erection is back!

FYI, the following information may contain spoilers, and if you want Star Wars spoilers, well, quite frankly, we can’t be friends…

According to the Internet, (the same place that has, admittedly, told me weekly that David Guetta has been dead since 2007), Hardy will play a Stormtrooper that recognises John Boyega’s Finn when he dons the trooper suit and returns to the First Order base, on a secret mission from General Organa. Congratulating Finn – who he believes is a double agent for the Order – this seems to be a pretty funny role. And let’s face it; trying to understand Tom Hardy muffle his way through a metallic mask has never been hard, has it?

I’m just gonna leave this here…