The Dark Knight Rises Tom Hardy as Bane XVII

[Nevincer]

It just seems like moving the goal-posts to me. First, the problem was that Tom Hardy was laughably small and won't look like a credible physical threat as Bane. Then he shows up on set bulked up to hell and about the same size as Batman, and the problem becomes not that Bane must be someone who could convincingly overpower Batman, but specifically that he has to be taller than him. Then we see that camerawork and forced perspective is being used to make Bane appear a head taller than Batman, and the problem becomes that Bane can't just be taller, but has to be SUBSTANTIALLY taller than Batman to be an effective representation of the character. If Tom Hardy went on the rack and came out 6'5", would the next requirement be that Bane must reach Arkham Asylum proportions?

Though the iconic back-breaking Knightfall cover depicts Bane as a hulking goliath with shoulders on top of his shoulders, in the comics themselves, he's a big dude, and yes, taller than Batman, but not so much of a behomoth.

 

[Harley2004]

Guys don't get side tracked with petty arguments please... DID YOU SEE THOSE PICTURES? and read the interviews???? OMFGGGG

My thoughts exactly, looking at these pictures this is not like any Bane we have ever seen in every way. So somebody who just wants to complain about comparing it too the comics is annoying.

The thing is, Nolan's Bane looks better and more badass than any comic version of him, and the gas mask thing is genius.

 

[DACrowe]

AWWW YEAAHHHH

I'm pretty sure that that's in [blackout]THE BATCAVE!!!!![/blackout]

That is going to be epic.

 

[CinematicESP]

I used to want the mask to provide the fear gas from Begins, in which case Bane would use so much of it that he becomes fearless in battle. But the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of it being some sort of anesthetic, especially because between that and Bale's comments, it looks like this film's theme heavily revolves around pain, both physical and emotional.

We're in for a gloriously rough ride, and I cannot wait.

 

[Keyser Soze]

It's a valid concern. It's unfortunate that people like me have been staying out of this forum because of the continued mockery of our opinion, being dismissed and accused of not being real fans, and all of the "Nolan can do no wrong/I'm fine with whatever he does" comments.

And it's unfortunate that people like me have been staying out of this forum because of growing sick of every glimmer of enthusiasm or new fodder for discussion inevitably getting drowned out by the same quibbling over minutae getting dragged into every discussion over and over, being dismissed and accused of not being real fans, and all the "You only like this because Nolan tells you to like it" comments.

 

[Boom]

Why don't some you guys actually offer something constructive, instead of just shrugging off the debate as childish and stupid?

 

[The_Raganork]

In his initial appearances, I never pegged Bane for being more than 6'5". Obviously, he's gotten more cartoonish over the years in his depiction - growing to the size of an elephant and just being an anatomical joke. But he was much more grounded in the early days of the character.

Ok...thanks.

All I'm saying is that 6'5'' is NOT out of the question. If he's equal to Batman's height on set without trickery then with it he could easily be 6'5''.


I don't know why people are ignoring that that's possible.

 

[Caligula]

Guys don't get side tracked with petty arguments please... DID YOU SEE THOSE PICTURES? and read the interviews???? OMFGGGG

I'll continue to get sidetracked as long as petty, vindictive parasites continue to give great actors like Tom Hardy a hard time over things they cannot change. It's ****ing pathetic.
His height, you're complaining about his height. Not his acting, his height. Where do you people get off saying that?

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

DA...if that is where its at...im going to literally explode in the theater.

 

[Miranda Fox]

I'm pretty sure that that's in [blackout]THE BATCAVE!!!!![/blackout]

That is going to be epic.

I could stare at that picture all day.

 

[Blue Sugar]

In his initial appearances, I never pegged Bane for being more than 6'5". Obviously, he's gotten more cartoonish over the years in his depiction - growing to the size of an elephant and just being an anatomical joke. But he was much more grounded in the early days of the character.

Yep and he will be even more grounded in TDKR. Which will most likely work great in context imo.

It's just different versions of the same character, what came first isn't always the only truth.

Hell in a future more fantastical Bat film an enormous CGI Bane might work great. It all depends on how you do it and where you do it.

 

[Miranda Fox]

I'll continue to get sidetracked as long as petty, vindictive parasites continue to give great actors like Tom Hardy a hard time over things they cannot change. It's ****ing pathetic.
His height, you're complaining about his height. Not his acting, his height. Where do you people get off saying that?

Unfortunately, that kind of nitpicking SOP around here.

 

[Boom]

I look at it this way. As I said before, physical dominance and sheer force are Bane's defining traits. So long as Bane still exhibits these traits, I don't think it is necessary for him to be a 6'5", 300-pound monster. If he beats the living **** out of Batman, I really don't think too many people are going to be sitting there thinking about how much smaller he is than his comic-book counterpart.

 

[Miranda Fox]

I look at it this way.

As I said before, physical dominance and sheer force are Bane's defining traits. So long as Bane still exhibits these traits, I don't think it is necessary for him to be a 6'5", 300-pound monster.

 

[The_Raganork]

I look at it this way.

As I said before, physical dominance and sheer force are Bane's defining traits. So long as Bane still exhibits these traits, I don't think it is necessary for him to be a 6'5", 300-pound monster.

agreed and what I'm adding to that is that:

Its still possible to have that happen with movie magic. I don't know why people are acting as if the verdict is in.

All the stills show him at at least 6'5''

 

[Keyser Soze]

While I cannot deny that that goes on (and it is ridiculous - Nolan isn't above criticism and I'm saying that as a huge fan of his), I don't think this is why people find the argument regarding Bane's height exasperating. The reason people don't understand why it is a problem is because, in the great scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. Do you honestly, truly believe that height supercedes everything else here - including the overall performance (which, admittedly, may not be great, but I can't see Hardy ****ing it up. But I am biased )?

If you just think it is a shame they didn't go for a taller actor, that's fair. But if this ruins everything for you? Well, I'm sorry to say, but that is silly. *shrugs*

Great post. I think, if you can't enjoy the movie or Hardy's performance because you're fixating on Bane's height, the problem's more with you than the film. I don't think the "less-than-giant Bane = Joker without white face/green hair" argument really holds water. Those using it cleverly smudge together their definitions, marking out the specific quibble of height and the more general requirement of physical dominance into a single trait, as if you can't have one without the other. Yes, a Bane who wasn't a physical powerhouse wouldn't be Bane, and that is a valid comparison to The Joker's white face and green hair. But specifically noting that his HEIGHT is essential to the character is like saying The Joker's height is essential, or Scarecrow's height is essential. Both are well over 6 foot in the comics. Both were played by actors under 6 foot in the movies. And in neither case did I even notice, never mind let it detract from their respective performances.

 

[Nevincer]

And it's unfortunate that people like me have been staying out of this forum because of growing sick of every glimmer of enthusiasm or new fodder for discussion inevitably gets drowned out by the same quibbling over minutae getting dragged into every discussion over and over, being dismissed and accused of not being real fans, and all the "You only like this because Nolan tells you to like it" comments.

Dear god, this. It's getting obnoxious now. Apparently anyone who's a regular here is blind and kissing Nolan's feet... There's no content or debate to our posts, we're all a wild pack of wolves who bites the heads off of anyone that criticizes Nolan or disagrees with us.

 

[Blue Sugar]

I look at it this way.

As I said before, physical dominance and sheer force are Bane's defining traits. So long as Bane still exhibits these traits, I don't think it is necessary for him to be a 6'5", 300-pound monster.

And going by the Empire article, physical dominance and sheer force is exactly why Nolan choose to adapt Bane for this film.

 

[Boom]

I must say, though, Nolan's comment about Bane being a "movie monster" made me go "."

 

[Mako]

I must say, though, Nolan's comment about Bane being a "movie monster" made me go "."

Same here!

 

[Nevincer]

I must say, though, Nolan's comment about Bane being a "movie monster" made me go "."

Thirded.

 

[-Arya-]

Yowza

Well my concerns about his physical appearance are gone for the most part. Awesome stuff.

 

[Marx]

I'll continue to get sidetracked as long as petty, vindictive parasites continue to give great actors like Tom Hardy a hard time over things they cannot change. It's ****ing pathetic.
His height, you're complaining about his height. Not his acting, his height. Where do you people get off saying that?

Lol its like the cast are all saying how awesome bane is going to be etc etc etc and every pic of him looks intimidating etc etc etc BUT hes only 6 foot 4 instead of 6 foot 6 so FAIL..Its so mind numbingly ridiculous that its to the point of not really even being an opinion, but a complete lack of any kind of vision and complete stubborness. Sorry but seriously if your still clinging to this there is no way your gonna be satisfied with the movie. They may has well have casted the undertaker in the role, then you may have been pleased.

It's not valid. It's childish, idiotic and immature. Don't try to twist it around.

These are exactly the types of comments I'm referring to. If I responded to these the way I wanted to, I'd have to infract myself.

 

[The_Raganork]

Also the "come at me Bro" picture isn't in the Batcave but rather the sewers.

 

[Caligula]

Unfortunately, that kind of nitpicking SOP around here.

It's bad enough when the basement dwellers here start levelling all kinds of misogynistic bile against Hathaway. But to just write off Hardy because of his height is disgusting. Perhaps not as disgusting as the 'HATHAWAY'S BREASTS ARE TOO SMALL! LULZ!!!111!!' comments, but still utterly disgusting.

And I really mean that, disgusting. The idiocy and rampant elitism here makes me want to hurl. Especially when people are so blinkered and myopic that they don't see anything wrong with what they're saying.