Tom Hardy’s Honest Opinion on His Former Drama School Mate: ‘I’d Love to Go Up Against Him’

Tom Hardy is no stranger to Hollywood’s most coveted roles, having been a part of some of the biggest cinematic moments of the past decade. From his portrayal of the ruthless Bane in The Dark Knight Rises to his gritty performances in Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant, Hardy has certainly made a name for himself as one of the industry’s most versatile actors. However, behind his tough-guy image, Hardy’s perspective on his craft and the actors who influenced him is more complex than one might expect.

In an interview with Daily Actor, Hardy reflected on his time at the Drama Centre London, a school that produced notable actors like Simon Callow, Colin Firth, and Dame Penelope Wilton. It was here that Hardy crossed paths with fellow classmate Michael Fassbender, a future Oscar nominee, with whom he would later share the screen. Hardy described Fassbender as “the shit” during their time together, recalling a particularly memorable moment that showcased his classmate’s commitment to the craft. “Mikey Fassbender, he was in the third year, and he was, like, the shit,” Hardy said. “He was in this wheelchair, ’cause his character is in a wheelchair. We had, like, half an hour for lunch, a half an hour to feed the whole school… Mikey would be holding up the whole queue ‘cause he wouldn’t get out of his fucking wheelchair.”

Despite the amusing anecdotes of their school days, Hardy’s respect for Fassbender’s dedication is evident. He added, “I’ve got mad respect for him. I’d love to go up against him on stage.” This speaks to the unique bond the two actors share, having gone through the same training at one of London’s most prestigious drama schools, but taking radically different approaches to their craft.

The conversation inevitably turned to the controversial world of method acting, which has become a defining characteristic for many top-tier actors. While method acting has led to some iconic performances, such as Robert De Niro’s transformative work in Raging Bull and Daniel Day-Lewis’s intense portrayal in My Left Foot, it has also been a point of contention among actors and critics alike. Some swear by the technique’s ability to produce raw, authentic performances, while others see it as unnecessary or even counterproductive.

Though Hardy is often compared to legendary method actor Marlon Brando, he doesn’t consider himself a method actor. His take on the process reflects his skepticism towards the extremes some actors go to in order to inhabit their roles. Despite Fassbender’s well-known method acting practices, which Hardy was privy to during their time at school, the two actors have since forged their own paths. Fassbender, known for his immersive performances, has dialed back his method approach over time, while Hardy has developed a more balanced relationship with his craft.

For Hardy, the intensity of his training at the Drama Centre, which he likened to the high-pressure environment depicted in Whiplash, was a defining experience. “Have you seen that movie Whiplash?” Hardy asked. “I went to a school like that… the guy that trained me, they based Hannibal Lecter on him. His pursuit was just to fucking destroy us.” Hardy’s mention of a Hannibal Lecter-like trainer hints at the grueling nature of his education, one that shaped his understanding of what it means to be an actor. Despite the difficulties he faced, Hardy’s respect for his peers, especially Fassbender, is unwavering.

Interestingly, the two actors had a brief professional intersection following their time at the Drama Centre, when both appeared in Band of Brothers. Fassbender took on a key supporting role as Technical Sergeant Pat Christenson, while Hardy played Private John Janovec in two episodes. However, it’s unclear if the “wheelchair incident” ever made it to the set during their time together on this project.

The story of Hardy’s and Fassbender’s divergent paths in acting serves as a reminder that while both actors may have shared a similar beginning, they each took their own route to success. Fassbender embraced method acting, leading to performances that left audiences in awe, while Hardy’s more flexible approach has also earned him a reputation for delivering memorable, powerful performances.

As Hardy’s career continues to evolve, his mixed feelings about method acting and his reverence for Fassbender’s dedication offer a glimpse into the mind of an actor who refuses to be confined by a single approach to his craft. Whether he’s playing a tortured anti-hero or an alien symbiote, Hardy’s passion for acting remains undiminished, and it’s clear that he’s still up for the challenge of “going up against” some of the best in the business—method or not.