Moviefone Editorial

Tag: tom-hardy

  • Tom Hardy Shares First Set Photo From Al Capone Biopic ‘Fonzo’

    After playing “Venom” in Sony’s upcoming Spider-Man spinoff, Tom Hardy is transforming into Al Capone.

    Filming for Hardy’s Capone biopic “Fonzo,” written and directed by Josh Trank, will reportedly begin on Monday, April 2.

    Hardy shared a production photo from what looks like the wardrobe department, where they’re “chasing” his character’s look:

    Chasing Fonzo…????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    A post shared by Tom Hardy (@tomhardy) on

    Pray for us, is that his request? Why not. Will do.

    Alphonse Gabriel Capone died at age 48, after suffering syphilitic dementia; this film is meant to focus on the end of the crime boss’ life, as he serves time in Alcatraz for tax evasion.

    Here’s a description from Deadline:

    Al “Fonzo” Capone ruled Chicago with an iron fist during the Prohibition Era and was the most infamous and feared gangster of American lore before being famously taken down by Eliot Ness. The film centers on his final days. At the age of 47, following nearly a decade of imprisonment, dementia sets in and Capone’s past becomes present as harrowing memories of his violent and brutal origins melt into his waking life.

    “Fonzo” is set to star Linda Cardellini as Capone’s long-suffering wife Mae; Matt Dillon as his closest friend Johnny; Kyle MacLachlan as his doctor Karlock; Katherine Narducci as Rosie, one of his sisters; and Jack Lowden as FBI agent Crawford.

    Filming is scheduled to begin April 2 in New Orleans, Variety reports; the theatrical release date has yet to be announced. “Venom” opens in theaters October 5th.

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  • Thomas Haden Church Defends ‘Spider-Man 3’ and Topher Grace’s Venom

    Eleven years after “Spider-Man 3” disappointed nearly everyone who saw it, Thomas Haden Church shared what went right and wrong behind-the-scenes.

    Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” series “derailed” after the third movie, which came out in 2007 starring Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn/Goblin, Topher Grace as Eddie Brock/Venom, and Thomas Haden Church as villain Flint Marko/Sandman.

    Church is now starring in the HBO series “Divorce,” and he recently filmed a role in another upcoming superhero movie. (His role hasn’t been announced yet, but he said it’s not Marvel, so it’s probably in the DCEU. Maybe “Aquaman.”)

    Church talked to JoBlo about his role as Sandman in “Spider-Man 3,” starting with his casting process after the success of “Sideways,” and going through the many script changes to the compromised finished product.

    “I was not that familiar with that world, but when they started talking about The Sandman and his story, I told them that’s appealing to me. That’s a guy that’s completely misunderstood and while the world regards him as villainous he’s actually on a mission that’s the purest of humanity. And that of course is a character that is immensely appealing to me. And they all just kind of looked at each other and said, “We feel the same way.”

    I kinda backed into it. And, yeah, we were in the early stages of putting together Spider-Man 3 and we feel that The Sandman, we want him to be the principal villain. Although, it didn’t really turn out that way later on.

    Because, when they first pitched me the movie, Sandman and, of course, [James] Franco’s transformation to the Goblin, we were who he [Spider-Man] had to deal with in the picture and Venom wasn’t even in it. They introduced at the very beginning the character of Vulture, but he was only in it briefly and then at the very end of that picture they were gonna bring The Vulture back just to sorta set the stage that he was probably going to be the main villain in Spider-Man 4. But then, obviously all of that stuff sort of derailed. Well, not so much derailed, but took a different railway.

    The studio felt like they had me, they had Franco’s story continuing, and they were like, we need one more that’s more of a millennial. And that’s how Venom and Topher Grace came into the picture. And by the way, I thought Topher was great in the movie and Venom is a pretty scary animal. And that was the evolution of that.

    I was thrilled, man. I’m a big admirer of Sam Raimi’s, I love Tobey [Maguire] as an actor and it was right on the heels of getting so much attention for Sideways and then these people step up and offer me the villain in the next Spider-Man. And, I just liked everybody involved, I liked the script. Again, I didn’t know how it was going to change, but c’mon, I would’ve done the movie anyway. I liked the character a lot….”

    The JoBlo reporter said the movie gets a bad rap, but it has a lot going for it. Church agreed, although he acknowledged the flaws:

    “I’m very proud of it. Even Sam [Raimi] has gone on record as saying, ‘Hey we tried to shove ten pounds of story into a five-pound bag.’ Even he thought it was just too much. And, to some extent it led to Sam and Sony to part ways. Sam’s production company is still set up there and he’ll always have a home at Sony, but on that particular franchise they parted ways. I think that Sam could come back to it if he was really interested if it doesn’t so far past him, y’know. Sam is only like a year or two older than me. Sam’s got plenty of energy and creative fuel and if they ever invited Sam to come back and do another one, I think he’d consider it, I do.”

    Right now, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, with Michael Keaton as Vulture in “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” They haven’t introduced Venom yet, but Sony has separately made a “Venom” movie starring Tom Hardy in the lead role of Eddie Brock/Venom. Based on the first teaser trailer, we have to expect he’ll go in a very different direction from young Topher Grace.

    Tom Hardy’s “Venom” opens in theaters October 5. Tom Holland’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming 2” is scheduled to open July 5th, 2019. Thomas Haden Church’s “Divorce” airs on HBO.

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  • Tom Hardy’s ‘Venom’ Now Has a Teaser Trailer and a Poster … But No Venom

    Also no Spider-Man, but that was more expected.

    Sony’s first “Venom” teaser trailer goes heavy on the tease. We hear Tom Hardy‘s voice-over as images show us the character waking up in the hospital and then battling his powers in the world:

    “Everyone’s got their thing. Maybe it’s a breakup. A death. An accident. Whatever it is, you used to be one thing. Now, you’re something else.

    We all have our own problems. Our own issues. Our own … demons.”

    They show costar Michelle Williams after the word “breakup.” Riz Ahmed and Reid Scott are also shown. They don’t show Hardy as Venom yet, but since this is just an “official teaser trailer,” that will probably come later. Or maybe it won’t. Maybe they’ll just let the movie arrive in October with no shots of Venom. Up to them.

    Here’s the trailer:

    Venom is a Marvel Comics character, but this is not a Marvel movie. It’s not meant to be connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Venom does have a connection to Spider-Man. Here’s how Collider explained it:

    “For those who don’t know, in the comics, Spider-Man comes into contact with an alien symbiote. That symbiote gives him special powers like increased strength and unlimited web-fluid. However, it also causes increased aggression. When Spider-Man gets rid of the symbiote, it finds his rival Eddie Brock, latches onto him, and Brock becomes Venom, which is why Venom has Spider-Man’s powers and resembles a grotesque version of the webslinger.”

    Here’s the poster, which is pretty cool on its own:

    The Sony synopsis does not share much about the plot or anything else, beyond the release date:

    “Watch the #Venom teaser trailer now. 10.5.18.

    One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award nominated actor Tom Hardy as the lethal protector Venom.”

    As promised, “Venom” should arrive in theaters October 5. Stay tuned for an official trailer.

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  • Tom Hardy Used to Be a Rapper? Listen to His 1999 Mixtape

    Tom HardyBefore he became an Oscar-nominated actor, “Dunkirk” star Tom Hardy was trying to make it as a rapper.

    As he told the BBC in 2011, he had a recording deal when he was a teenager where he was billed as “Tommy No. 1.”

    “I started out rapping when I was 14 or 15,” he told the BBC. “Because I come from a nice middle-class neighborhood it was a very hard sell. And I wasn’t very good! I used to be with the guy who managed Leela James and Lauren Hill, Pras, the Fugees and all that. I worked out with (Grammy-winning producers) Warren Riker and Gordon Williams. I’ve recorded loads of stuff but it’s never been released.”

    Until now!

    The full mixtape from 1999 was posted recently to b by Edward Tracy, who produced the songs under the name “Eddie Too Tall.”

    It’s called “Falling on Your Arse” and features such titles as “We Makes the Beats,” “People Like to Boogie” and “Sit Your Arse Down.”

    Now, we can only hope that among Venom‘s skills are some mean beats.

    [Via THR]

  • Spider-Man Spinoff ‘Venom’ Marks ‘Day 1’ With Tom Hardy Set Photo

    BRITAIN-ENTERTAINMENT-CINEMA-DUNKIRKMove over, Underoos, ’cause Sony’s Marvel Universe is taking over.

    Tom Hardy and the cast and crew of the “Venom” movie just launched production. The Spider-Man spinoff is not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring that other Tom, Tom Holland. Instead, it’s the first film in Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters. However, Sony clarified that Marvel will be involved in these movies.

    Hardy’s role as Eddie Brock, and the scheduled release date of October 5, 2018, were revealed back in May. (Topher Grace played a version of Eddie Brock/Venom in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3” in 2007.)

    Sony’s official “Venom” account shared the first photo from set:

    Day 1. #Venom

    A post shared by Venom Movie (@venommovie) on

    According to Variety, in both the comic and this new standalone film, Venom is hatched after reporter Eddie Brock bonds with an alien symbiote, a union that gives him deadly powers.

    Director Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”) told Variety the movie will cover Venom’s origins and the Jekyll and Hyde relationship Brock has with the alien symbiote:

    “They become almost a third being, which is what Venom is. There’s a famous quote: ‘You’re Eddie Brock. I’m the symbiote. Together we are Venom.’ […] I’ve always been drawn to the more antihero superheroes. There’s a dark element to [Venom] and a wit that has always appealed to me.”

    In addition to “Venom,” Sony is also in preproduction on “Silver & Black,” which will reportedly pair jewel thief Black Cat with mercenary Silver Sable. In July, Variety reported that “Sony is circumspect about whether or not Spider-Man will make an appearance” in “Venom.” Columbia Pictures president Sanford Panitch said, “If we get lucky enough to make more than one [Venom film] and continue the franchise, there are lots of opportunities.”

    “Venom” — which will reportedly co-star Riz Ahmed and Michelle Williams — is currently scheduled for release October 5, 2018.

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  • Box Office: ‘Dunkirk’ Crushes Expectations, ‘Valerian’ Flops

    By Seth Kelley

    LOS ANGELES, July 23 (Variety.com) — “Dunkirk” and “Girls Trip” are opening above expectations at the domestic box office, while “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” looks like a huge flop.

    But let’s start with the good. Christopher Nolan‘s World War II film from Warner Bros. is flying past earlier projections to a $50.5 million opening weekend from 3,720 locations. $11.7 million of that total came from Imax screens alone — that’s 23% of the total market share from 402 locations. That $50.5 million number is a good one considering it is expected to have a large multiple, and continue to play well through August. The movie’s production budget was reportedly just under $100 million, although earlier reports speculated that it was much higher.

    Critics have fallen in love with Nolan’s depiction of the real-life Battle of Dunkirk. Their reviews have earned the movie a 92%, and chatter has already started about its award season potential. But audiences have responded as well, perhaps surprisingly, to what many have described as an atypical war movie. It holds an impressive A- CinemaScore.

    “We looked at this as a big summer event film. We wanted to give it the patina of a tentpole release,” said Warner Bros. distribution chief Jeff Goldstein of the studio’s decision to date the film for the end of July. “We know from past history when you open up at this point in the summertime, you can run for weeks and weeks,” he added, referencing last year’s “Suicide Squad.”
    Nolan ruffled some feathers for his bullish comments about the vitality of the theatrical experience. But, perhaps, his prizing of that is part of what ended up encouraging audiences to buy tickets as opposed to waiting for the movie to hit a streaming service. The movie is getting the widest 70MM release in more than two decades, and much of it was shot with Imax’s extremely high-resolution 2D film cameras.

    “We’re thrilled with the numbers, and we’re thrilled with the partnership,” said Imax Entertainment CEO Greg Foster. “The one-two punch of Chris’ vision and the Imax experience has once again proven to be irresistible to moviegoers in theaters.”

    Even during a crowded weekend, Universal’s “Girls Trip” is breaking the curse of underperforming R-rated comedies this summer as it looks to post $30.4 million from 2,591 locations. That’s the largest opening of any live-action comedy so far this year.
    “Girls Trip” follows a foursome — Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Tiffany Haddish, and Jada Pinkett Smith — who go out for a long overdue women’s weekend to New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival. Director Malcolm D. Lee is also known for his first feature, “The Best Man,” and its follow-up, “The Best Man Holiday.”

    Meanwhile “Valerian,” Luc Besson‘s big-budget adaptation of the French comic series from his own EuropaCorp, and distributed in the U.S. by STX Films, looks like a real clunker. The sci-fi epic should land in fifth this weekend with about $17 million from 3,553 locations.

    There is some risk mitigation at play here for what is believed to be the most expensive independent movie of all time — the bulk of the production budget was covered with foreign pre-sales, equity financing, and tax subsidies. STX took on marketing and distribution for the film after EuropaCorp’s partner, Relativity, went under. Europa financed the P&A. But, regardless, someone will pay for the movie’s poor returns so far, and sights are set overseas to see if the international box office has a more positive response.
    It’s a tough break for Besson, who has treated the movie like a passion project. Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne form the central pairing in the sci-fi epic about a team of space-and-time-traveling agents. Clive Owen, Rihanna, and Ethan Hawke round out the cast.

    In its second week, “War for the Planet of the Apes” should earn $20.4 million this weekend, landing it in third after a 64% drop. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” looks to land in fourth with $22 million domestically, a 50% decline from its second to third weekends in theaters.

    To end on a positive note, “Wonder Woman” is officially the highest-grossed movie of the summer, as of this weekend, with over $389 million. That puts Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot’s acclaimed film ahead of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” The stat is exciting news for those who have hope for more female-led projects in the future.

    “Dunkirk” and “Wonder Woman” this week pushed Warner Bros. past the $1 billion mark at the domestic box office for 2017 — the seventeenth consecutive year that the studio has done so.

  • Taron Egerton (Not Tom Hardy) Will Play Elton John in ‘Rocketman’ Biopic

    Taron EgertonThis makes a lot more sense: Taron Egerton is replacing Tom Hardy as the star of the Elton John biopic “Rocketman.” Not only does he look a lot more like the famed singer, Egerton (unlike Hardy) is also known for his vocal skills. (Sorry, Tom!)

    The deal was (presumably) sealed while making “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” in which Elton John has a cameo. John is producing his own biopic, which was supposed to have begun production in 2014 with Hardy playing the “Tiny Dancer” singer.

    “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” actor Dexter Fletcher, who helmed Egerton in the uplifting sports movie “Eddie The Eagle,” will direct. The film will cover John’s childhood, musical partnership with Bernie Taupin and his rise to fame.

    No one has yet been cast as Taupin and no start date has been announced.

    Egerton, as you recall, sang as Johnny the teenage gorilla in the animated movie “Sing.” It’s not known whether he’ll do his own singing in “Rocketman,” but with John himself producing, we’re guessing Egerton be lip-synching.

    Hardy, in the meantime, had a huge hit with “Mad Max: Fury Road,” got his first Oscar nomination for “The Revenant,” produced and starred in the TV series “Taboo” and has a key role in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed “Dunkirk.”

    Hardy also played both Kray twins in “Legend” — which costarred Egerton as one of gay brother Ronny’s boyfriends.

    [Via The Playlist]

  • Zoe Kravitz Recalls Charlize Theron & Tom Hardy ‘Beef’ on ‘Mad Max’ Set

    “Mad Max: Fury Road” stars Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy weren’t exactly besties on set, this is known, and their co-star Zoe Kravitz just confirmed that she witnessed the tension, adding some perspective to help fans understand the context.

    Kravitz played one of the wives Theron’s Imperator Furiosa aimed to save, with frenemy backup from Hardy’s Max Rockatansky. Kravitz was on “Watch What Happens Live” to promote “Rough Night,” and candidly answered a fan’s question on the Theron/Hardy feud.

    Caller: “Did you witness any beef between Charlize and Tom Hardy on the set of ‘Mad Max’?”

    Kravitz: “Huh. [after a brief pause] Yeah.”

    Andy Cohen: “It was reported that they didn’t get along.”

    Kravitz: “They didn’t get along. We were also in the desert for so long. I think everyone was tired and confused and homesick, and we saw nothing but sand for six months. It’s just, you go crazy, you do.”

    Cohen: “What was the issue? What did it come down to?”

    Kravitz: “I actually don’t know if it was one issue. I just think they weren’t vibing. […] It was like summer camp, you know? At some point, everyone has like some kind of issue with somebody ’cause it’s just the way people are.”

    On a semi-related and just plain interesting note, did you know that Zoe Kravitz’s father Lenny Kravitz was once engaged to Nicole Kidman? Zoe and Nicole just worked together on HBO’s “Big Little Lies” and Andy asked Zoe if that was weird on set. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t. Because … apparently they were vibing just fine.

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  • Tom Hardy’s Post on His (Famous) Dog’s Death Will Break Your Heart: ‘He Was an Angel’

    Grab some Kleenex now, ’cause this is gonna hit you hard. Tom Hardy is a very private guy, but his dog Woodstock, aka Woody, was famous in his own right, so the actor decided to reach out with an emotional Tumblr post in honor of “the bestest friend ever.”

    You may have seen photos of Woody at film premieres, or watched him blissed-out with sleep on his dad’s lap as Tom read a bedtime story for the BBC’s CBeebies Bedtime Story program.

    As Tom wrote in his post honoring Woody:

    “He has been on many sets. Met many crews. Photo shoots premieres made many many friends he was #73 most influential animal in TIME magazine. He beat JAWS. Something we all thought was brilliant. He’s been in peaky blinders. Legend everyone who met him loved him. He didn’t have a bad bone in his body. All he knew was love.”

    The entire post is beautiful, starting with the story of how Tom first saw Woody running across a turnpike late one dark night in Georgia in 2011, and continuing with how much Woody changed his family’s life, including his wife, actress Charlotte Riley, and two children:

    “He was an Angel. And he was my best friend. We went through so much together.
    Charlotte worked tirelessly with him to get him through a rough case of separation anxiety. He loved her like his Mum. And when she was pregnant he gaurded her fiercely.”

    Here’s the part toward the end that is really going to affect you, especially if you’ve ever lost a beloved pet:

    “I don’t normally speak out about family and friends but this is an unusual circumstance. Woody affected so many people in his own right so with great respect to his autonomy and as a familiar friendly face to many of you, it is with great great sadness a heavy heart that I inform you that after a very hard and short 6 month battle with an aggressive polymyostisis Woody passed away, two days ago. He was only Age 6. He was Far too young to leave us and We at home are devastated by his loss I am ultimately grateful for his loyal companionship and love and it is of some great comfort that he is no longer suffering. Above all I am completely gutted. the world for me was a better place with him in it and by my side.
    To the bestest friend ever. To me and to a family who loved him beyond words and whom he loved without doubt more than I have ever known. Woody was the bestest of journey companions we ever could dream of having. Our souls intertwined forever.

    A friend told me

    He was special bro, a shining example of man’s best friend. He burnt very very bright and, those that burn very bright sometimes burn half as long.

    Thankyou Woody for choosing to find us. We will love you and be with you and you with us forever. Never ever ever forgotten. Your Boy tom xxx I love you beyond words. To the moon and back again and again to
    Infinity and beyond. Run with Max now and the Angels. I will see you when I get there.
    With all of me I love you. Always Thankyou for
    Your love beautiful boy.”

    Run with the angels, beautiful boy. And here’s the memorial video posted for Woodstock Hardy, set to “Young Hearts Run Free”:Rest in peace, Woody. You were so very much loved.

    [via: Page Six]

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  • Is Christopher Nolan Directing the Next James Bond Movie?

    Christopher NolanHow much weight to give the rumor that Christopher Nolan is directing the next James Bond film?

    Yesterday, it was noted on Twitter that Christopher Nolan’s production company, Syncopy, was listed on IMDbPro as a producer on the film. Then Twitter user Bond25 said that IMDb had confirmed the listing as accurate. And then the listing was taken down.

    So, that seems to negate all the rumors. Although Nolan has served as producer on films he hasn’t directed, including (ahem) “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Transcendence“.

    The franchise is looking for a new home at the moment as EON and MGM, who own the rights, are looking for a new distributor, so anything is possible. Recently, Indiewire had Paul McGuigan (“Sherlock,” “Lucky Number Slevin”) down as the likely next Bond director.

    Speculation is high that if Nolan is coming on board, he’d bring along “Inception” star Tom Hardy as the new Bond. And Hardy would be all for that. As the actor said earlier this year, “Chris would be amazing! Wow, that would be so cool. What a fantastic director for a Bond movie. I wonder what the next installment of that franchise would become, [he] could bring something new and create something profound.”

    There’s still every chance Daniel Craig will be back for another go-round as Bond, with recent reports that he’s been talked into doing one more film.

    [Via Collider, Flickreel, BirthMoviesDeath]