The Gloomy Knight trilogy by Christopher Nolan revolutionised the genre, ushering in the age of dark comic book adaptations and demonstrating that superhero movies could also be high art. The series left a deep impression on its stars as well. Tom Hardy, who portrayed the masked antagonist Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises,” has spoken publicly about how his physical metamorphosis for the part affected his health.
In a 2017 interview with The Daily Beast, the actor discussed gaining weight to play both Bane and his own character in the movie “Warrior.” He said, “I’ve probably done too much damage to my physique. “I’m not big at all! If I continue to gain weight, the pressure will cause me to crumble like a house of cards.” He revealed to Men’s Health that he put on 30 pounds for the part and used a specific regimen to swiftly build muscle.
Hardy is open about the toll of physical transformation
It’s admirable that Hardy is honest about the consequences of bulking up for a part. Hollywood has honoured performers who physically alter their bodies for roles, awarding Best Actor Oscars for characters like Matthew McConaughey’s AIDS patient Ron Woodruff in “Dallas Buyers Club” or Gary Oldman’s chubby Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour.”
It’s common to skip discussions about the risks associated with drastically altering one’s body. The media frequently extols actors’ physical dedication without clarifying that most people without access to a top-notch personal trainer and nutritionist are unable to make significant weight adjustments. Speaking candidly about how his physical metamorphosis for the character of Bollywood star Kingo affected his self-image, “Eternals” star Kumail Nanjiani has sparked a dialogue about unreasonable physical standards for performers.
Hardy is honest about the drawbacks. He told The Daily Beast, “I think you pay the price with any major physical changes. He added that a younger person might be able to handle the process, but that:
“As you enter your forties, you have to be more aware of the rapid training, packing on a lot of weight and getting physically fit, and then not having enough time to continue training because you’re busy filming, so your body is swimming in two different directions at the same time,” said one athlete.
The actor acknowledges that his body now appears to be more achy than it did in the past due to the typical Hollywood manner of accelerated training for a job. He claims that carrying his children is more difficult now and that “I definitely have joints that click that probably shouldn’t click.”
Subsequently discussing the negative aspects of the process in 2017, Hardy has refrained from undergoing such drastic physical changes for parts, but he has since taken on the character of Eddie Brock in the “Venom” series. According to Men’s Health, the actor trained five times per week for the part, engaging in mixed martial arts, boxing, and jiu-jitsu. I’m hoping he’s settled on a medium ground that he’s content with. And with the most recent Best Actor Award going to Anthony Hopkins for his performance in “The Father” as a man who only looks like Anthony Hopkins, perhaps Hollywood’s sick preoccupation with subjecting actors to physical torment will finally come to an end.
