Tom Hardy, the acclaimed British actor currently starring in “Venom: The Last Dance,” has cemented his status as a global superstar. Although nominated for an Oscar for “The Revenant,” he initially went unnoticed, as noted by Sir Patrick Stewart in his memoirs. Stewart recounted Hardy’s quiet demeanor while filming “Star Trek: Nemesis,” leading him to doubt Hardy’s future success. However, Hardy has proven him wrong, emerging as one of his generation’s finest actors, with numerous upcoming projects on the horizon.
Tom Hardy is a name that needs no introduction. The British actor, currently featured in “Venom: The Last Dance,” has solidified his status as a global superstar.
Nominated for an Oscar in 2016 for his performance in “The Revenant” alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Hardy has remained in the spotlight. He has appeared in the “Venom” franchise since 2018 and showcased his talent in movies like “Capone” in 2020 and “The Bikeriders” last year. His portrayal of iconic characters spans from Max Rockatansky in “Mad Max: Fury Road” to the legendary Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises.”
However, there was a time when Hardy was relatively unknown, such as during his role as the villain in “Star Trek: Nemesis,” released in 2002. It was then that he failed to make a favorable impression on Sir Patrick Stewart, who believed the young actor might not have a future in the industry.
In his memoir titled Making It So, published in October 2023, Sir Patrick Stewart reflects on the filming of “Star Trek: Nemesis,” sharing his initial impressions of the aspiring actor. While delivering his lines opposite the famed Jean-Luc Picard, Hardy did not manage to impress—not because of his acting, but due to his reserved nature and limited interaction.
“In ‘Star Trek: Nemesis,’ I didn’t have a single exciting scene to perform,” Stewart recounts. “The actor playing the villain in the film was a strange and solitary young man from London. His name was Tom Hardy. He didn’t talk to anyone.”
“He never said hello or goodbye and spent most of his time in his trailer with his girlfriend. He wasn’t hostile at all; it was just incredibly challenging to communicate with him,” he wrote.
“On his last day of filming, he left without a sound, simply walking out the door. As the door was closing, I quietly told the other actors, ‘There goes someone we’ll never hear from again.’ Well, I’m pleased he proved me wrong!”
Indeed, Hardy has undoubtedly proven Stewart wrong, as he is now regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation, and his presence is far from fading.
Currently starring in Venom: The Last Dance, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach, and Stephen Graham, Hardy is set to return to the big screen in 2025 in Gareth Evans’ film “Havoc.” The highly sought-after actor has also joined the cast of Guy Ritchie’s series “The Associate,” the film Blood On Snow with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and the police thriller “77 Blackout” alongside Mahershala Ali. Additionally, he is expected to reprise his role in the “Mad Max” franchise with Mad Max: The Wasteland directed by George Miller.
Clearly, Sir Patrick Stewart misjudged him: Tom Hardy is thriving and shows no signs of slowing down!
“Star Trek: Nemesis” is available for streaming on Paramount+.