2008 was Tom Hardy’s breakthrough year as an actor, the British thesp’s performance in “Bronson” putting him on the map along with a well-received turn as Handsome Bob in Guy Ritchie’s “Rocknrolla”.
But Hardy had been around for a few years before that with supporting roles in a number of films from his debut in “Black Hawk Down” to scenes in “Layer Cake,” “Marie Antoinette” and “Sucker Punch”.
In fact, his first major role was as the main villain Shinzon, the Reman leader and young clone of Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard character, in 2002’s “Star Trek: Nemesis” – the final film of the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” crew.
Recently Stewart published his autobiography “Making It So: A Memoir” in which he reflected on that film which was a bomb critically, commercially and with the fandom. In an excerpt published by Insider, Stewart reflected on working with Tom Hardy which he found challenging:
“I didn’t have a single exciting scene to play, and the actor who portrayed the movie’s villain, Shinzon, was an odd, solitary young man from London. His name was Tom Hardy.
Tom wouldn’t engage with any of us on a social level. Never said, ‘Good morning,’ never said, ‘Goodnight,’ and spent the hours he wasn’t needed on set in his trailer with his girlfriend.
He was by no means hostile – it was just challenging to establish any rapport with him. On the evening Tom wrapped his role, he characteristically left without ceremony or niceties, simply walking out of the door.
As it closed, I said quietly to Brent and Jonathan, ‘And there goes someone I think we shall never hear of again.’ It gives me nothing but pleasure that Tom has proven me so wrong.”
Hardy was just 24 when he shot his scenes for the film which involved him having to not just shave his head but add some prosthetics to closer match Stewart’s physical traits.
The character, like the film itself, has mostly been forgotten and hasn’t been referenced in a “Star Trek” series or movie since. Hardy on the other hand has gone on to a hugely successful career.
“Making It So: A Memoir” is available in bookstores now.
