Tom Hardy had a lovely profile in the New York Times on Friday. It’s not the most enlightening piece – all in, the NYT gives us maybe ten quotes from Tom, including the fact that Tom calls a barista “love”. But it’s not meant to be some super-deep exploration of Tom Hardy the Bloke, I guess it’s just supposed to be breezy, “this is the guy playing Mad Max.” And The Bloke was in a decent enough mood (he handled his smoker’s cravings by taking draws “on an e-cigarette”). The interview took place at CinemaCon, in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. Some highlights:
Working on Mad Max: “It took a huge weight off my shoulders when I realized how big the piece was. It was 50 miles to the horizon, overseas, 360 degrees of sand and sky, and then there was this just sort of S-and-M party, do you know what I mean? With Hells Angels types right in the middle of it, with parasails and explosions. And it was very weird. It was fantastic.”
Who he is as a celebrity: “I’m not very interesting, by the way. I’m monosyllabic and sometimes just allowed to play in the corner. And I might express myself physically instead, if that’s all right. Cool?”
He’s drawn to odd characters: “In my job, I think it would be wrong for me to not push an extra little bit to see what’s behind certain walls. When I’m putting together a character, I kind of blend them with lots of things, part advertising, you know, the branding that you’ve seen before, so people are, ‘Oh, I kind of recognize that person, but I don’t know what it is.’ ”
He won’t complain about his ‘designer problems’: “I’m lucky to be an actor. There’s no life or death here, just humiliation. All right, that’s the worst thing that could happen. It’s just the first day of school, isn’t it? If you get beaten up on the playground, you still have to go back to school.”
I like that Tom rather consistently shrugs off complaints about an actor’s life. He’s admitted that he’s “difficult” to work with and that he takes his job seriously, but I appreciate that he’s not sitting in interviews, complaining about how he’s misunderstood or he doesn’t even enjoy his life or the work.
And here’s the trailer for Legend, where Tom plays the real-life Kray twins. Double the pleasure, double the fun. This trailer came out a few days ago! I think it looks okay.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Beautiful, strange, neurotic man…. yep, I’d go there in a heartbeat!
I saw him in a film for the first time and his voice and manner are so sexy. She oozes sex appeal wow. Total can see why his fans melt.
Meant to say HE oozes sex appeal, wow.
Yes he’s hot but, but…. his voice…. gah!!!
It’s great that he realizes and admits he’s difficult. Now he actually has to do something about his temper because getting into spats with other people on set isn’t professional at all and shouldn’t be acceptable. I like him as an actor, but that kind of behavior is just juvenile. Find a grown up way to deal with your disagreements.
*drool*
I appreciate that Tom is transparent with who he is as a person and actor, that aspect has always been very appealing and charming to me.
I love Bonkers Bloke. That is all. Oh, except…
… “love” isn’t necessarily a patronising, vaguely sexist term when used by a Brit.It can be, but mostly it isn’t. It’s a non-U term of endearment. I call Mr Sixer and the Sixlets “love”, for example, and lots of other people too. If I’m in a particularly good mood with them, I call them “lovely”.
I think being called “love” can be really sweet, or sexy, when it comes from a pair of beautiful lips with a Bloke-y accent.
Aw I adore “love”.
He seems to love his job so much–maybe a bit TOO much at times–but that’s what makes him such a talented and special actor.
I like you two, so today you are “my lovelies”.
Try to steal The Bloke away from me when it’s not your turn, though, and I’ll demote you to “loves”!
This is an honor I don’t take lightly.
*salutes*
Roy Orbison! Perfect!
No talking required for the Bloke. And, yes, it’s ok with me if you express yourself physically. I mean, really, it’s fine. Go ahead. Do it. You seem like you want to and far be it from me to stop you from expressing yourself, because that would be really mean and I …. Hey, come back! Where are you going? But.. I thought we… Nuts.
Ha ha!!! My thoughts exactly!
You are seeing nuts? Were there beige bootie shorts involved and why wasn’t I invited?
Not that kind of nuts, you little mind in the gutter.
LOL!
LMAO!
Uses a five syllable word to insist he only uses one syllable words. He’s a self-limiting contrarian.
Mad Max does look visually interesting. Does anyone know if it is a remake or a new story?
It’s a new story, not a remake.
It was a stupid question anyway, since I’ve never watched Mad Max from beginning to end. I’ve caught bits and pieces, when it has aired, and never from the same starting point, it seems.
He is the one person I might scream and faint if I ever saw!!! oh man!! <3 <3 <3
I have no doubt that the man who would not only hit his co-star for no reason other than he questioned his method but actually admit it with a grin in an interview, would beat my brains in for not having his slippers waiting at the door for him. Dont want him, not even fantasy can wash the douche off if the bloke. All the more for you, huh?
@Chichi..who did he hit? I’m missing something…*goes off to join Tom in the corner*
Paul Bettany.
And I gotta say the fact that this story is not mentioned even in articles that reference his “issues” is very telling of the bs sexism that lets dudes/blokes get away with everything short of murder if they are “cute”. I guarantee you if Scarjo had hit a co-star you would hear about it everytime her name was brought up.
I like Tom. As an actor, he’s quite phenomenal. And I appreciate that he acknowledged he’s difficult to work with. But I’m beginning to think he’s taking his “I admit I’m difficult” as a license to be difficult, as if as long as he admits it, he can continue to be difficult and no one should have an issue with it. That’s the part I don’t like about him.
A difficult actor and pretentious jerk who gets a pass for being a man. If an actress is difficult, she’s a bitch and nothing but negative comments will follow about her. If an actor is difficult, oh he’s just a really complex and edgy and cool method actor.
Right now Tom gets a pass here because they like him. Trust me he’ll do or say something and they’ll turn on him too like Jon Hamm and Cumberbatch.
What did Cumberbatch do?
one syllable word to describe him !Hot!!!
He’s the kind of guy you could have a fling with, but not someone you should marry. Plus, he’s known to cheat on his wife.
Pretty much. Noomi probably just hit that and quit that for giggles.
He never cheated on his wife. Don’t believe every shit that’s been published about it! Noomi and Tom are friends for a few years now ; nothing more, nothing less. He’s very much in love with Charlotte. I follow this guy in his carrier for many years now and i think he’s a cool, down to earth bloke. I love him to pieces!