The one role Tom Hardy would be thrilled to reprise: “I’d be well up for doing more”
Few actors have been on a career rollercoaster quite like Tom Hardy, who got off to a dream start with his first film role in Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down, the same year he made his TV debut in two episodes of the acclaimed mini-series Band of Brothers.
Then, after a string of duds, Hardy’s name faded into the background, seemingly an example of a potential star who burned too brightly, too soon. Then, in the early 2010s, a series of great movies put him back on the map, and now, he’s a firmly established blockbuster star with a seemingly unshakeable grip on Hollywood.
It hasn’t been easy, but he’s made it to the very top, and unsurprisingly, Hardy’s popularity has led him to assume roles in a number of high-profile franchises. He famously stepped into the shoes of Mel Gibson on Mad Max: Fury Road, crossed the divide in the great superhero movie wars, appearing as DC’s Bane and Marvel’s Venom, and there’s also his turn in Star Trek: Nemesis, but we probably shouldn’t dwell on that for too long.
Speaking with The Playlist, Hardy talked about his place in many of the biggest film series ever to grace a screen, but when it came to his all-time favourite, his answer was a little unexpected.
“I love Star Wars,” he said. “My favourite character is Han Solo. No, I’d be well up for doing more Star Wars. That was great. I’ve always wanted to be in a Star Wars film. So playing a stormtrooper was fantastic,” he proclaimed.
You might be wondering which Star Wars movie Tom Hardy was in, but don’t get upset if you can’t remember: it’s a real niche bit of knowledge. The gruff Briton filmed a cameo as a stormtrooper for the second instalment of the sequel trilogy (and eighth overall Star Wars film), The Last Jedi. In the scene, he unknowingly interacts with hero Finn, played by John Boyega, who is dressed in an Imperial officer’s uniform and even slaps him on the backside, which has got to be the first time that’s ever happened in the galaxy far, far away.
Hardy is far from the only big name to play a minor role in Disney’s revamped trilogy, like Daniel Craig, who played the stormtrooper that Rey first uses her Jedi abilities on in The Force Awakens, which also features appearances from musical legends Michael Giacchino and Nigel Godrich and iconic director Kevin Smith.
The Last Jedi also features more hidden celebrities, with Prince William and Harry also donning stormtrooper helmets, and as for The Rise of Skywalker, that goes absolutely insane in terms of cameos, but I’ll spare people the embarrassment of being associated with that flaming pile of space garbage.
Unfortunately for Hardy, his scene was ultimately cut from the theatrical version of The Last Jedi, so his quest to “be in a Star Wars film” is still technically ongoing, but don’t worry, Tom, at the rate they’re bleeding this franchise dry, it’s only a matter of time before they call you up.
