He told us that Nolan called him up while he was shooting This Means War, to ask if hed be happy playing the musclebound, mask-wearing villain in Rises:
Hang on a minute. Youre asking me to come round the world with you in a Batman movie, playing a villain, and the only downside to it is I have to wear a mask? Hmmm, let me think. Ill get back to you
No, Im ****ing there, man! Anything you need.
While Nolans take on Bane is likely to be worlds away from any earlier screen incarnations of the character (a necessity to ensure he fits in with the reality-based Gotham), hes still best known as The Man Who Broke The Bat; so will Bats suffer any spinal injuries here?
Hardy responded coyly: Mmmmm
Good lead-in, but all I can say is that Chris has a plan up his sleeve thats not at all disappointing. And that is a definite choice thats watertight in every respect.
I think Banes ****ing cool so Im really excited to play him. Its not the guy in Joel Schumachers film, but it shouldnt disappoint fanboys
So, does he feel any pressure living up to Heath Ledgers portrayal as one Batmans arch-nemeses? No, none at all, he insisted. Brilliant actor, brilliant work thats it. Ive got a job to do.
Its the same with Mad Max and Mel Gibson. Im not here to engage in a competition with their talent. Its to play the character that Ive been given.
And hes not bothered about wearing a mask either: Any time you put something over your face, youre going to adopt a personality and a physicality that has nothing to do with acting. It allows a performance to be free.
