Within the fictional city of Gotham, a myriad of notorious villains looms. From the maniacal clown, The Joker, to the sinister Riddler. And in this rogues’ gallery, Bane stands tall, a muscle-bound, steroid-induced figure donning his ominous mask, inflicting terror upon the people of Gotham. The character was brought to life by Tom Hardy in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.
Having previously collaborated with Nolan in the 2010 film, Inception, Hardy embarked on a remarkable metamorphosis to embody the character of Bane. His preparation involved shaving his head, adopting a distorted voice, and undergoing a drastic physical transformation, bulking up to the point of being almost unrecognizable. Known for his unwavering dedication to his craft, Hardy has proven time and again his willingness to undergo significant bodily changes for his roles.
How Did Tom Hardy Transform Into Bane
Upon being cast, Tom Hardy’s physical build was notably smaller compared to the comic book depiction of Bane, prompting the initial organic step to resemble the DC character: hitting the gym. Embracing the challenge, Hardy committed himself to an intensive workout regimen, diligently visiting the gym three times a day to sculpt his body into the imposing figure that Bane is known for.
During an interview, the actor was asked if he damaged his body while playing Bane, to which his response was,
“I think you pay the price with any drastic physical changes. It was alright when I was younger, to put myself under that kind of duress, but I think as you get into your 40s you have to be more mindful of the rapid training, packing on a lot of weight and getting physical, and then not having enough time to keep training because you’re busy filming, so your body is swimming in two different directions at the same time.”
Tom Hardy mentioned that while he didn’t undergo as extreme body changes as Christian Bale, he still experienced some consequences. He admitted that his joints make clicking sounds they shouldn’t, and carrying his children has become a bit more challenging. However, he humorously added not to let his kids know about it.
Tom Hardy Also Worked On His Voice Acting
Hardy’s rendition of Bane encompassed a distinctive voice that became one of the most iconic elements of his performance. His delivery of infamous lines left an indelible impression on fans, prompting them to attempt emulating the deep rasp he brought to the character. However, the genesis of this memorable voice was almost uncertain, as it almost didn’t come to fruition.
Bane’s mask posed a challenge in the end. During a test screening, the audience expressed difficulty in deciphering Hardy’s dialogue throughout the film due to the mask and the distinct accent he had adopted for the character. To address the issue, Hardy took the initiative to re-dub his lines using a film technique known as ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement).
The Dark Knight Rises is available for streaming on HBO Max.
Also Read: “I would have sold my mother”: Tom Hardy Revealed How His Addiction Still Haunts Him
Source: The Daily Beast
