Tom Hardy doesn’t just kick a** on-screen, the tough guy is also widely known for his jiu-jitsu skills off-the-camera. But again, when it comes to Christian Bale, Tom Hardy couldn’t keep his game face during their time on The Dark Knight Rises. The actor, who played Bane in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, admitted that he was intimidated by the Oscar-winning star’s presence, especially when Bale made an entrance in the Batman suit.
Christian Bane Scared Tom Hardy During His Career-Shifting Role
Tom Hardy is one of the toughest guys out there! The jiu-jitsu champion, who is known for action hits like Warrior, Dunkirk, and Mad Max: Fury Road did accept that he was intimidated by Christian Bale‘s presence during the filming of The Dark Knight Rises in 2012. The career-shifting role did come with its fair share of challenges, especially in the presence of a fiery star like Bale. He said,
“Christian can be quite fiery on set but I really wanted to meet him as he is exciting and an impressive actor. He was a massive draw to work with. When I first met him at the screen test I put my outfit on and I got to the trailer and saw him sitting there without a T-shirt on I saw what his arms were like and I thought, ‘I am going to walk this.’”
Hardy shared that he was truly intimidated when he saw Bale, known for his versatility and physical transformations for his roles in the Batman costume. He admitted that he expected the “old Batman in grey pants,” but then a huge, looming figure turned up with huge pointy figures.
When Bale said, “Hi. I am Batman,” Hardy did have some shivers down his spine and recalled, “Christian Bale is really tough – not the kind of guy you want to p*** off.” Bale’s role in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy remains his most notable work to date.
Bane’s Role Was Career-Shifting For Tom Hardy
Hardy, who played Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, revealed that doing the Nolan movie was truly career-shifting for him. Back in those days, his “career was like a paddling pool,” and Bane’s role just threw a grenade into it. Doing this movie was a massive deal, and Hardy felt the responsibility towards his character. He once said,
“At times I have felt nervous about the role. It’s taken me 30 years to get here. When I got offered the part I was nervous because of the hype. It is huge. My friends have told me that my life will change after the film but I have tried to remain focused and remain British.”
The Dark Knight Rises came as the final installment in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. While the movie proved to be career-shifting for Hardy, Bale was paid a whopping $15 million for The Dark Knight Rises. Overall, he earned more than $50 million through this trilogy. Coming back to Tom Hardy, the actor himself deserves credit for massive success over the years. He earned around $2.5M for his portrayal of Bane in the final installment of the movie.
From playing a criminal guy, a savior of justice, to a self-righteous anti-hero, Hardy has proven his versatility. Not to mention, his constant association with charities makes him a better man in his personal life. The actor has truly come a long way, considering a history of “alcohol and drug abuse” in his early 20s.
Source: ShowbizCheatsheet
