Where to Look for Tom Hardy: From 'Black Hawk Down' to 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage'

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Tom Hardy joined the Marvel Universe in 2018, starring in Venom. He's now returning to reprise his role as journalist Eddie Brock, who is taken over by a parasitic alien, for the sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Hardy isn't just starring, because this time around, he contributed to the story, landing him a writing credit. 

We can look for Venom 2 coming out this Friday, October 1. In the meantime, let's have a catch-up with this versatile actor:

1. Black Hawk Down

In 2001, we saw Hardy in director Ridley Scott's historical war drama Black Hawk Down. Based on actual events, the story follows a group of American soldiers, members of the Unified Task Force, who are on a mission to capture a Somali faction leader in 1993. Hardy takes on the role of a ranger named Twombly, marking his debut in a feature film. Twombly and his fellow soldiers go to battle on foreign soil.

2. Star Trek: Nemesis

In 2002, Hardy went sci-fi, starring in Star Trek: Nemesis. We see Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard, leading his crew on The Enterprise spacecraft. They head to Romulus to negotiate a peace treaty, but things go sideways. Hardy takes on the role of Shinzon, who is a clone of Jean-Luc Picard, created by the Romulans with the plan to replace the captain, aka his meanie mini-me. 

 

3. Stuart: A Life Backwards

Hardy teamed up with Benedict Cumberbatch for the 2007 TV movie Stuart: A Life Backwards. Cumberbatch portrays a writer, who develops a friendship with a homeless man named Stuart Short, played by Hardy. Based on a true story, the writer works with Short to revisit his early life and go over what happened to land him in such a troubled state, suffering through alcoholism and a life of a crime. 

 

4. RocknRolla

We saw Hardy in writer-director Guy Ritchie's RocknRolla, premiering in 2008. The story revolves around old school London mafia, who are losing their hold when the new school steps up. To make matters even more trying, there's a Russian mobster in town, who plans a million-dollar scheme and everyone wants a piece, including The Wild Bunch, portrayed by Hardy, Gerard Butler and Idris Elba.

5. Inception

Continuing his streak of working with renowned directors, Hardy signed on for Christopher Nolan's Inception. In the 2010 sci-fi flick we see a group of specialists who are able to enter and manipulate people's dreams, planting ideas that are not real. Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Cobb, is the team leader, recruiting a man named Eames, played by Hardy. Eames is brought on to act as a forger.

6. This Means War

Taking things down a notch, Hardy starred in the 2012 romantic comedy This Means War. He and Chris Pine portray C.I.A agents who are pals, but when it turns out they are both smitten with the same woman (Reese Witherspoon), things become tense. Each try to win over her affection the old fashioned way, calling on charm and chivalry, but when it's to no avail, they fall back on their spying skills. 

 

7. The Dark Knight Rises

Adding another major franchise to his CV, Hardy joined 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, based on DC Comics' Batman. Christian Bale takes on the role of the caped crusader, with Hardy starring as one of his nemeses, Bane. An escaped prisoner-turned-assassin, Bane attempts to take over Gotham City. Batman, who had hung up his cape, comes out of exile to go up against Bane. 

 

8. Mad Max: Fury Road

We saw the return of Mad Max in 2015, with Hardy taking on the title role. The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world, with survivors looking out for their own best interest, including Max. He's a drifter, who would like to be left alone. But, when he meets up with a woman (Charlize Theron), who is aimed to rebel against an unruly ruler, Max becomes an adversary.

9. Peaky Blinders

Turning to TV, Hardy starred in the breakout hit Peaky Blinders, joining the ensemble cast in the second season. The 1900s period drama revolves around a family made up of gangsters, with Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) as their leader. Hardy takes on the role of Alfie Solomons, who is a leader of a different gang, in another part of town. Solomons reaches out to Shelby with the hopes of an alliance. 

 

10. Taboo 

In 2017, Hardy kicked it up a notch, co-creating and starring in Taboo, which he collaborated on with his father, Chips, and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The series takes us back to the 1800s, with Hardy starring as adventurer James Delaney. When his father passes away, Delaney abandons his travels, returning to England to pay his respects. With an inheritance heading his way, he becomes a target.

Do you have a favorite Tom Hardy role to date? Please feel free to add to the list!