Tom Hardy’s ‘Starstruck’ Moment on Set with Gary Oldman—Find Out What Happened

Tom Hardy’s career, marked by powerhouse performances in films like Inception (2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), and Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), is heavily influenced by a variety of acting legends. Among these influences, Hardy has cited Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, and Frank Sinatra as his personal heroes. These actors shaped Hardy’s approach to the craft, and for fans and film buffs alike, it raises an intriguing question: when did Hardy first get the chance to collaborate with these acting giants?

While Hardy’s admiration for Oldman, Fiennes, and Sinatra is well-documented, a deep dive into his career reveals an interesting pattern. Of these three, only Gary Oldman appears to have shared the screen with Hardy, while a collaboration with Fiennes or Sinatra remains absent. Sinatra’s passing in 1998, long before Hardy’s rise in the industry, meant their paths would never cross. Fiennes, despite being a major influence on Hardy, has not worked with him either, as confirmed by a thorough review of their IMDb profiles.

However, Hardy’s collaboration with Gary Oldman is a different story. Their professional bond first began with the 2011 film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, where Hardy played Ricki Tarr, and Oldman portrayed the iconic George Smiley. This project marked the first time Hardy worked alongside one of his acting heroes, and it holds significant emotional weight for him. In an interview with Digital Spy, Hardy shared a humorous yet poignant anecdote about their time on set. “With Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the first time I worked with Gary Oldman, I had to watch him because we had to re-shoot because my beard fell off while I was talking,” Hardy recalled. “I spent my entire experience with Gary staring at him, and not returning any lines… He’s basically God, you know?” This candid admission speaks volumes about the awe and respect Hardy had for Oldman, making this the definitive “moment” in his career when he worked with one of his idols.

The film, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2011, marked the beginning of a significant professional relationship between Hardy and Oldman. Their collaboration continued with The Dark Knight Rises (2012), where they played Bane and Commissioner Gordon, respectively, though their scenes together were more limited. A further collaboration came in Child 44 (2015), where they both took on key roles, continuing their partnership in a more substantial narrative. However, none of these later collaborations could match the emotional significance of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which remains Hardy’s first opportunity to share the screen with a true acting hero.

In looking back on these collaborations, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy stands out not just as the beginning of Hardy’s professional relationship with Oldman but also as the moment that likely left the deepest impact on Hardy. As he reflected on this first experience, it was clear that working with Oldman had an undeniable influence on him, cementing his admiration for the actor as a guiding force in his own acting journey.

Thus, while Hardy’s career continues to flourish alongside some of the best talents in cinema, it is Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy that holds a special place as the moment when he first worked with one of his acting heroes.