After appearing as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises it looks as though Tom Hardy is being courted for another villainous role – Apocalypse in the upcoming X-Men: Apocalypse.
Although X-Men: Apocalypse has been on the cards since the release of Days of Future Past, there’s been little mentioned about the all-powerful villain who the young X-Men will encounter in the franchise’s next instalment. But while casting details remain scarce, it seems that Tom Hardy has been tipped for the title role.
According to The Wrap, the 37-year-old British actor might not have time for an appearance as Doctor Strange – a role he’s been linked to in the past…
“Tom Hardy was once rumoured to be in contention for Doctor Strange,” they explain. “Though he has recently been courted for [Warner Bros’] Suicide Squad and the title role in X-Men: Apocalypse, so don’t expect to see him join the [Marvel Cinematic Universe] anytime soon.”
Of course, this is fairly big news – and while it’s still only a rumour, it places Tom Hardy as the first new name to be attached to 20th Century Fox’s upcoming X-Men sequel. But why is the news hidden amongst an article about Doctor Strange?
Hardy is also apparently been pursued by DC for an appearance in Suicide Squad – a movie which has reportedly also chased Margot Robbie and Will Smith for starring roles. And with a lengthy, multi-film deal likely, it looks as though he won’t be able to commit to everything.
Either way, it looks as though Tom Hardy will be heading back to comic book movies… and after a lacklustre performance in The Dark Knight Rises perhaps it’s time he got the chance to put things right. After all, it’s the gravelly tones that everyone sadly remembers him for – certainly not the face beneath the mask.
But would he make a better Apocalypse? For now, we’ll have to wait and see.
What do you think of Tom Hardy as Apocalypse? Who would you like to see in the title role? Let us know what you think in the comments below…