When Tom Hardy was announced as Bane in January 2011, not everyone believed he was the right fit, but if his detractors had only watched all the Tom Hardy movies, The Dark Knight Rises may have created the most problems for the actor. Other roles were hugely challenging for him in many different ways, but Hardy is well known to have spoken of the physical struggle posed by the movie. Not just that, but his casting was critiqued.

Warrior came out in September 2011, eight months after Tom Hardy's casting for Bane had been announced. The five-foot-nine Englishman wasn't the fan favorite to play the juiced-up Latinx, resulting in comments that he wasn't physically imposing or Latin enough. Tom Hardy's reported bad blood with Charlize Theron during Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga proves that Hollywood isn't always easy, but Hardy sured difficulty to make The Dark Knight Rises one of the best Tom Hardy movies ever. Warrior provides a taste of what made Hardy a good call for the role.

Warrior Showed Tom Hardy’s Talent For Action And Drama In 2011

Warrior Proved That Hardy Was Right For Bane

Directed, produced, and written by Gavin O'Connor, Warrior was the 2011 flick that proved that Tom Hardy had the action and drama credentials for Bane. By 2011, movies like Bronson had already provided ample proof of Hardy's larger-than-life action presence. But Warrior was relatively little known in 2011, despite being one of the best martial arts tournament movies out there. It could've given much-needed weight to Hardy's bid to "break the Bat" in The Dark Knight Rises. As a huge MMA fighter in Warrior, Hardy fought his own estranged brother, proving physicality and emotional anguish.

Hardy’s Performance In Warrior Is A Reminder Of How Great Of An Actor He Is

Tom Hardy Exceeded Expectations In Warrior

Tom Hardy's Tommy in Warrior may be 2011's best reminder of how great an actor he is. He was also excellent in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and 2010's Inception, but Warrior allowed Hardy to demonstrate the kind of ferocity that he needed to play Bane. Warrior also allowed Hardy to show that behind the mask of rage, there was always a sensitively feeling individual who was worthy of all the drama commanded by a villain like Bane. Hardy's role as Max in Mad Max: Fury Road proved once and for all that there was no fury like Hardy's.

Tom Hardy has kept refining his antihero specialty over the years, with Venom another great example of Hardy playing someone viewers can love to hate and hate to love. As Tommy in Warrior, Hardy was able to successfully convince viewers of his appalling communication skills, but also why they were as they were. Framing his abusive, alcoholic father as the root of his struggles, Tommy overcame his past, but also his own flaws. This made his fight against his brother, similarly victimized, powerful viewing. Clearly, Tom Hardy's height or skills didn't hold him back in Warrior, or as Bane.