After signing a first-look deal with Warner Bros., Tom Hardy (Warrior) is looking to produce and star in an outlaw biker picture. Having wrapped on Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises and with The Road-director John Hillcoat's The Wettest County coming out this August, Hardy's schedule is otherwise free. His first project under his new Executive Options banner will be an as-of-yet untitled film focusing on a wounded Vietnam war veteran returning home to San Francisco in 1969. The clashing cultures of the Haight-Ashbury district will be featured in the film, a period piece in which Hardy's character emerges as the leader of California's most violent outlaw biker gang. Hit the jump for more on this project.

Variety reports that Hardy is partnering with Linson Entertainment producers Art Linson and John Linson for the original script. Written by Mark L. Smith (Vacancy), the project is based on an original idea from John Linson. At first blush it sounds like a combination of First Blood and Sons of Anarchy. As a fan of both of those franchises, I wouldn't necessarily mind if the comparison was accurate. The inclusion of Smith as the screenwriter has me a bit confused as his other efforts include horror/thrillers The Hole 3D, Vacancy 2 and Seance. Perhaps this is just a case of a writer being pigeon-holed and the Hardy project will act as a reprieve. Regardless, I have confidence that Hardy has the chops to pull this character off, no matter which direction it's intended to go. Hardy can next be seen in this summer's The Dark Knight Rises, which opens July 20th.