This is an interview from the French edition of Premiere of May 2010. I’ve translated it myself, so please excuse any mistakes, they’re all mine. It’s a conversation between Vincent Cassel & Tom and it’s pretty brilliant. Part 1/3:
Vincent Cassel welcomes the sensation from Bronson, who will soon appear in the new Mad Max films, for an interview which doesn’t hold anything back.
Vincent Cassel met Tom Hardy, who is English of Irish ancestry, while filming The Reckoning, which was directed by the Scotsman Paul McGuigan. “Tom had seen La Haine, it’s one of his favourite films, and that’s why he approached me.” Cassel recalls. The two men immediately bonded. Their futures confirmed that they’re on the same wavelength: when the French actor received a César for best actor for his portrayal of ‘public enemy no 1’ in Mesrine, Hardy exploded onto the scene with the title role in Bronson, a biopic about Britain’s most famous inmate. “When we did these two films at the same time, it was incredible”, Cassel confirms. “For me, there is no one equal to Tom among the actors of his age. His mouth is too big and he isn’t smooth enough to fit directly into the system, but it will happen in a way we can’t imagine yet. He’s a handsome man who isn’t afraid of making himself ugly, like a Brad Pitt who boxes. I’m convinced he’s going to be a superstar.”George Miller seems to agree, having offered him to star in Fury Road, the fourth chapter in the Mad Max saga, with Hardy filling the shoes of Mel Gibson. “If this film is a success”, Cassel exclaims, “there will be nothing that can stop him.”
VC: You haven’t been to Australia yet?
TH: It won’t be long now. The preparations start this month and the filming will keep me there until April.
VC: So I’m catching you just before the storm?
TH: Exactly. I’m just back from Chicago to spend some time with my family before I fly off to Australia.
VC: You’ll be brilliant in Mad Max. Mel Gibson can go to hell. (laughs) Are you allowed to talk about under which circumstances we met and how that anecdote involves Paul Bettany during the filming of The Recknoning?
TH: Go ahead! Don’t be afraid to incriminate me! It was my first part in a feature film, actually. Before, I’d only done the tv show Band of Brothers.
VC: So, would you advise someone who’s shooting their first movie, to take a swing at the lead actor because he’s saying bad things about you?
TH: I didn’t hit him, I slapped him. I didn’t want to leave a mark on his face.
VC: Good thinking. (laughs)
