Will Tom Hardy Play Apocalypse? ‘Bane’ Could Be The Next ‘X-Men’ Villain
Tom Hardy could be Apocalypse in the next X-Men film. The role hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the rumor mill has him playing yet another iconic super-villain.
It isn’t uncommon for actors to play roles in both major comic book universes. Ryan Reynolds played two Marvel heroes (Deadpool and Hannibal King) before taking on the DC Comics character Green Lantern and R.I.P.D., all of which have been critically shredded. That doesn’t mean it isn’t possible for something good to come of it, especially with a potential Deadpool movie having been confirmed with him in the title role.
Hardy is no stranger to comic book movies either, having played Bane in the third film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise. Arguably given the most memorable role in the movie, it appears Bane is crossing into Marvel territory (technically Fox, since Marvel is a different studio).
Fox could soon be in negotiations with the Christopher Nolan movie veteran to play the main villain in the upcoming Bryan Singer film X-Men: Apocalypse. After The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy has shown that he can handle what is promised to be an action-packed film that brings the X-Men universe beyond its time-travel epic predecessor.
The fans’ reactions to the potential casting choice have been all over the place, from purists hating the idea that a white man is playing an Egyptian, to optimists claiming that if Hardy could play Bane, he’ll make a perfect Apocalypse.
If race is really an issue, Bryan Singer could always attempt the second successful case of “black face” (the first being Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder) to turn Tom Hardy into something the fans may be more happy with. It’s doubtful though, considering how Bryan Singer already faced allegations of something embarrassing before and after Days of Future Past.
Tom Hardy being eyed for Apocalypse in next X-Men movie http://t.co/AaNMme5g1i pic.twitter.com/PkQpfenFBp
— Nerd Reactor (@NerdReactor) October 20, 2014
Hardy was also named as a possible addition to DC Comics’ upcoming Suicide Squad (possibly reprising his role as Bane), which is set to hit theaters around the same time as X-Men: Apocalypse. Being considered for major roles in both, he will likely need to choose one. He was also mentioned as a potential to play the lead role in Marvel’s Dr. Strange, a movie which could hit around the same time.
By the end of 2016, it’s obvious that Hardy will have at least two major comic book movie roles on his resume. His name is flying around more than a mosquito in the Summer, and where he goes is up to him.
Will Tom Hardy return as Bane in Suicide Squad, or be recast like Batman as he accepts the controversial casting of Apocalypse in Bryan Singer’s next X-Men? Could he also turn them both down to replace Joaquin Phoenix as Dr. Strange?
[Image via Following the Nerd]
