Hollywood star Tom Hardy is no stranger to stealing the show. Remember his tough-guy role in Mad Max: Fury Road, or the villainous Bane in The Dark Knight Rises? Those were just a few of his many memorable performances.
Tom Hardy as Tom Conlon in Warrior (Credits: Lionsgate)
People are starting to wonder if Hardy could become a big-shot director too! Jeff Nichols, the director of Hardy’s movie – The Bikeriders – said the same interesting thing about the A-lister. Not only that, but one of the scenes in the film also suggests that he could soon be calling the shots behind the camera.
Tom Hardy’s Directorial Prowess is on Full Display in this One Scene
Jeff Nichols, the director famous for movies like Mud and Take Shelter, praised a scene between Tom Hardy and Austin Butler in their film, The Bikeriders. He called it “one of the most erotic moments I had ever seen on film.”
The filmmaker went on to explain the opening bar scene in which Benny (Butler) walks over to talk to Kathy (Jodie Comer). He sits down, wearing a sleeveless shirt that shows off his muscles. After the first take, Hardy jokes, “Hey, Austin, just turn your chair around.”
Butler does it. He props up his glistening biceps and triceps on the chair, making them stand out even more. This little tweak made the scene pop with more visual impact. Not only the director, but even fans also thought the scene was amazing. Check out some fan reactions:
https://twitter.com/NewEnglandLJ/status/1801720808093663433
I’d like to thank Jeff and Tom for their input in this scene!!!! pic.twitter.com/2WE84jbTOK
— Agent Lauren- 🦋Met Austin 6-6-2024 🦋 (@naydenlover) June 15, 2024
When the director falls in love with his star
— sansto (@Sanscel1) June 15, 2024
This isn’t just about a steamy scene, though. It shows the Hammersmith native’s talent for creating tension and intimacy, which are key skills for any great director.
Would Tom Hardy Ever Take the Director’s Chair?
Tom Hardy has learned a great deal about filmmaking from his years of working with top directors like Christopher Nolan and George Miller. It’s not just about sharpening his acting skills — he has seen firsthand how stories turn into movies, from script to screen. He’s picked up the art of directing actors, handling cameras, and editing along the way. This hands-on learning could be really valuable if he ever chooses to step into the director’s chair himself.
While the 46-year-old hasn’t said for sure if he’d ever take the director’s chair, he did hint at an interest in it during an interview with Collider Ladies Night. That was eight years ago, so who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see Hardy directing a blockbuster film!
Watch The Bikeriders on Apple TV!
Frequently asked questions
What did director Jeff Nichols say about Tom Hardy’s directing potential?
Jeff Nichols, who directed The Bikeriders, praised a charged, tension-filled bar scene between Tom Hardy and Austin Butler as one of the most intense moments he’d ever captured on film. Nichols suggested the scene, which Hardy helped shape by adjusting Butler’s blocking on set, hinted at Hardy’s potential as a future director.
Has Tom Hardy directed any films?
The article doesn’t indicate that Hardy has directed a film yet. Instead, it notes he has spent years learning the craft while working with acclaimed directors like Christopher Nolan and George Miller, absorbing directing, camera, and editing techniques that could inform a future project if he decides to step behind the camera.
What is The Bikeriders about, and where can it be watched?
The Bikeriders, directed by Jeff Nichols, follows a fictionalized Midwestern motorcycle club through the 1960s, starring Tom Hardy, Austin Butler, and Jodie Comer. The film explores the culture and bonds within the club as it evolves over the decade. It is available to stream on Apple TV.
