Director on Tom Hardy in Havoc: ‘Tapped Him on the Shoulder—It Was Granite!’

Tom Hardy is about to deliver a performance like never before in Netflix’s upcoming action thriller, Havoc. Set to stream on April 25, the film has already generated a great deal of buzz, thanks in part to an explosive update from the film’s writer and director, Gareth Evans.

Hardy stars as Walker, a bruised and battered detective who must navigate a dangerous criminal underworld after a botched drug deal. As the story unfolds, it reveals a web of corruption and conspiracy that is deeper and more sinister than anyone could have imagined. Joining Hardy in the action-packed film are Timothy Olyphant and Forest Whitaker, adding star power to the already highly anticipated thriller.

Evans, known for his intense and impactful fight sequences, recently spoke to Empire Magazine about Hardy’s role and his preparation for the part. “Tom came to us in f*cking beast mode,” Evans said. “I tapped him on the shoulder and it was just like granite. He came fully physically prepared.” According to Evans, Hardy’s portrayal of Walker is anything but subtle. “Walker is not silky-smooth. He’s gonna cause as much carnage and as much mayhem as possible,” the director explained. “He’s not grabbing your wrist and turning you into an arm lock. He’s grabbing you by the scruff of the neck and driving your face into the nearest heavy object.”

One particularly brutal action sequence, set in a fishing shack, highlights the full intensity of Hardy’s performance. “It’s like an onslaught, a relentless attack,” Evans continued. “Every corner of this place someone’s going to pop up with a gun, someone’s going to pop up with a knife, and they’re going to come from under the floorboards, around the corners, through this window, through that window.” This sequence promises to be a high-octane moment in the film, reminiscent of the action-packed John Wick franchise.

The first look at Havoc confirms Evans’ words, showcasing brutal action that is sure to captivate fans of adrenaline-pumping thrillers. Evans, no stranger to striking fight choreography, previously worked on projects like Gangs of London and V/H/S, establishing his reputation for delivering gripping, visceral action scenes.

But what else does Tom Hardy have in the works? Known for his iconic roles in films like Inception and The Dark Knight Rises, Hardy is also set to star in MobLand, an upcoming series directed by Guy Ritchie, alongside Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren. Additionally, there’s been speculation about his return to the Mad Max franchise in Mad Max: The Wasteland, though both Hardy and director George Miller have expressed doubt that the project will materialize. Hardy is also linked to the action thriller War Party, which follows Navy SEALs, though plot details remain under wraps.

As Havoc draws near its release date, it’s clear that Hardy’s performance is one of the film’s biggest draws. With Evans’ direction and a brutal, action-packed storyline, this is a film that will showcase a side of Tom Hardy we’ve never seen before—one that is fierce, relentless, and fully in “beast mode.”