TDK RISES NEWS

'The Dark Knight Rises' Viral Reveals First Look at Tom Hardy as Bane

by
May 20, 2011
Source: ComingSoon

Bane

Yesterday brought word that production had started on the anticipated sequel The Dark Knight Rises along with confirmation that Chris Nolan would be shooting more of his final Batman film using IMAX with his frequent collaborator, cinematographer Wally Pfister. But today comes the big news as the viral campaign for The Dark Knight Rises kicked off with the launch of the official website. A black page and strange chanting eventually led people to a Twitter feed called @TheFireRises, then the site was updated with a reveal of the first official photo of Tom Hardy as the villain Bane, and damn does he look awesome!

Here's our very first look at Tom Hardy as Bane from The Dark Knight Rises:

Tom Hardy as Bane

At the time of this news, the Twitter page is still sending out replies to users for each putting the hashtag #TheFireRises in an update, and their avatar is used to compose a mosaic right here making up the above image of Tom Hardy as Bane. However, the Facebook page for The Dark Knight Rises had the full photo (see the slightly larger version over there) posted before the mosaic was complete, so it sounds like someone may have gotten their timing wrong on the release of the image or it was just hacked from the site. I'd imagine there will be a lot more viral action coming from that Twitter feed (@TheFireRises) so definitely keep an eye on that, and follow our viral updates as well. Dig this first look at Tom Hardy as Bane?

Find more posts: First Look, TDKR, Viral Marketing

93 Comments

1

Jizz. Jizz everywhere.

MrStatingtheObvious on May 20, 2011

2

:[ I'm scared. 

JL on May 21, 2011

3

 WOW!!! I love Tom Hardy, I knew he could do it!

Englishman in Reno on May 20, 2011

4

 Its so cool how he has a skeleton hand over his mouth!

Bob Mann on May 21, 2011

5

  Expand They released an early picture of the joker to, remember? And in the end he turned out to look much different from the orginal photograph. I feel the same will happen with Bane. This is just an early version, with just his mask. I doubt none of the make-up work was done except in the spots on the forehead needed for the angle of the picture.  Expect him to look badass in the end.  We've only had a glimpse into the world of The Dark Knight Rises and we're busting nuts like squirrels on crack lol PS: by the way, JL, I would F the brains out of Anne Hathaway without hesitation. That doesnt  mean we cant joke around. Chill out!  Insecure much

Reeves Jacob18 on May 21, 2011

6

What was so different from that blurry first image of The Joker to him in the film? I bet you this is how he will look. And I bet the image was taken during wardrobe tests or something like that.

Ryderup on May 22, 2011

7

Well, there were two pictures of the joker they released early on. One without the make-up, but with the scars. and the other with make-up, but it wasn't complete. In the end, they want it to be a surprise, so they just give you a look.   I mean, come on, bane isn't gonna be shirtless the whole god damn time. Thats ridiculous lol Still, he looks like a bad ass here. I seriously cant fucking wait! 

Reeves Jacob18 on May 22, 2011

8

I hope the climactic fight between Christian Bale and Tom Hardy will knock everyone on their ass and be so amazing and action-packed, audiences all over the world will be left breathless.

Silver on May 20, 2011

9

 Why am I seeing this same post in so many different places?

Bob Mann on May 21, 2011

10

The cast still feels incomplete and like it's missing key characters.

Tilman on May 20, 2011

11

I thought the movie came out next year...

Tyler Morgan on May 20, 2011

12

 Yes, 2012

matt mccluskey on May 20, 2011

13

He always takes one

Davide Coppola on May 20, 2011

14

Got a little man crush on Tom Hardy. THIS LOOKS AMAZING

N. Williams on May 20, 2011

15

 I'm assuming you're all straight.  But everything I see about this thing is like you are salivating with hard cocks over this one pic.  

ChicagoVisitor on May 20, 2011

16

I'm straight. I'm also a woman. And he looks DAMN hot. ;] 

equustel on May 20, 2011

17

I was until this photo came out 🙂 

Englishman in Reno on May 20, 2011

18

Well, I am a straight woman, but if I was a dude I would most likely be rubbing my boner all over this picture right now.  

Anonymous on May 20, 2011

19

Soooo, you're saying if you were a man, you'd be a gay man. 

JL on May 22, 2011

20

Lol, possibly? ...Yeah, I don't think I'd have a reasonable excuse if I was a dude and someone caught me doing what I described in my previous comment. xD

Anonymous on May 22, 2011

21

*Sigh* I wish it was possible they could film it all in IMAX, not just 2-3 mins here and there. Well, it is possible, but very expensive and time consuming...

David Banner on May 20, 2011

22

Don't think they can film dialogue scenes due to the loud irritating noise the IMAX cameras produce while filming... But it would be awesome.

Victor Berglund on May 20, 2011

23

WOW!! Bane is the best villian, aside from the joker ofcourse, but I know Chistopher Nolan will make Bane live up to the characters cinematic expectations

Adam L on May 20, 2011

24

 Mark my words, Bane will break Bruce Wayne's back in the first half of the movie.

Icarus on May 20, 2011

25

How could they possibly deal with that in a 2-1/2 hour movie?  I hope you don't expect Alfred to take on the Batsuit in Wayne's absence.   Or, are you thinking they'll fade out and go to the "2 years of back surgery and physical rehab later......"?

Jedi on May 20, 2011

26

In every shot, show a little improvement,To show it all would take too long.. That's called a montage!

kiko on May 22, 2011

27

 Well, in the books Azreal takes over the mantle of the bat for awhile while Bruce Heals. Azreal is Bad ASS and kills the bad guys. We'll see.

Dkillaou on May 23, 2011

28

I can't wait for that movie cause idc wat happens at the end but bane should be left alive and something we've never seen should happen like a sick Batsuit or Alfred beating up bane for like 5 secs

Batman on Jun 27, 2011

29

eehh.. I dont know. wish he were bigger and had a full mask

NADS on May 20, 2011

30

!!! Yay! That's what I am talking about!

DAVIDPD on May 20, 2011

31

This movie better be 5 goddamn hours long

Voice of Reason on May 20, 2011

32

So glad he doesnt look like the cartoon version, or anywhere near it.  

Anonymous on May 20, 2011

33

 AHHHHHH! He looks so cool! Nolan, why you gotta tease us so???

Cinephile on May 20, 2011

34

 SIIIIIIIICK!!!!!!! 

Chris A. on May 20, 2011

35

 This next entire year I will have a MAJOR ERECTION for this movie......

Chris A. on May 20, 2011

36

Somebody build a time machine right now! I can't wait another year for this. *tears hair* 

Anonymous on May 20, 2011

37

I'm sorry...he still does not look big enough.  Bane is supposed to be massive, not hunky....maybe it will be better?

weezy1 on May 20, 2011

38

 Remember Bane takes a drug to make himself bigger with more muscles. He's probably not on it at this time and pic.

Dkillaou on May 23, 2011

39

 Show me Hathaway as Catwoman first.

Victor on May 20, 2011

40

No, that's the good stuff.  They're apparently saving it.  You know, it's funny all these guys talking about erections and jizz and stroking it over Hardy, but when they do show us pictures of Hathaway in costume, they'll all be like, "meh."  Tell me that's not gay while you look me in the eye... ...without laughing.

JL on May 21, 2011

41

Ah, yes, but that's because Hathaway is extremely irritating...

Traveler on May 21, 2011

42

WTF is on his head? 

M.K. Nielsen on May 20, 2011

43

its at the end of the bondage scene! hahaha 

Adam L on May 20, 2011

44

Awesome!!!!!! 

Sherlon on May 20, 2011

45

Holy shit! He looks genuinely crazy scary. By this picture alone I really feel bad for Batman. They're literally going to have to release it in 5,000 theaters because everyone and their second cousins are going to see this opening night. Sorry James Cameron, your b.o. record is about to be blown!

Alboone on May 20, 2011

46

 To those who say they want him "bigger", it's actually not that easy to judge how big he is solely based on that picture with no real point of reference..

Davide Coppola on May 20, 2011

47

Those who say they want him "bigger"... well, they have some issues with size. 

Manuel on May 23, 2011

48

Although he does look good, I was expecting/hoping for a Brock Lesnar size person for this role

bucker96 on May 20, 2011

49

boooooooo! 

JL on May 21, 2011

50

shame on you. 

JL on May 21, 2011

51

 Hold the phone, I didn't say I wanted Lesnar, just someone who had something close  to his girth. I mean, check out Bane in the comics, the dude is massive

bucker96 on May 21, 2011

52

Oh, I didn't make the assumption you wanted Lesnar himself for the role, I just don't think it would work.  In fact, the comic book bane was a little bigger than even Lesnar, and he's got that unreal quality to him like most villains in comic books.  I like the realism, or almost realism, of Nolan's franchise, and I like the idea of a Bane who's average in height, yet very strong.  Besides, size alone is not what makes Bane dangerous.  🙂

JL on May 22, 2011

53

Dude, Bane isnt Bane until he pumps that drug into his something making him hulk-like. So calm the fuck down!!! Christopher Nolan knows what he's doing!!!

why so serious?! on Jun 17, 2011

54

Cant wait,the mask looks nuts.

tir na nog on May 20, 2011

55

This movie is going to kick the shit out of The Dark Night and it looks like Tom Hardy will blow Heath Ledgers Joker out of the water, No one will care for the Joker after this movie.  CANT WAIT

Dave on May 20, 2011

56

F YEAH ! 

!5AAK on May 20, 2011

57

 It's on!

Benjisbarmusic on May 20, 2011

58

 SHIIIIT JUST LIKE THE FUCKIN COMIC ARE U KIDDING ME ????????

kwame adansi on May 20, 2011

59

 interesting photo. The mask looks like Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat. Although Hardy looks massive!

AK on May 20, 2011

60

how buff did he have to get for the part?  his mask looks insane 😀

Anonymous on May 20, 2011

61

I think somewhere I heard him talking about going up to 16 stone?  I'm not familiar with that British nonsense. 

JL on May 21, 2011

62

Hey moderator. did my message make you laugh?? Anyways, plz let it post. I dont want all that to b wasted for nothing lol! I put passion into it!   LOL   but you laughed.

Reeves Jacob18 on May 21, 2011

63

X..( 

JL on May 22, 2011

64

 It was funny. JL, you woulda liked it lol.... Any ways, they are gonna save hathaway for a while.

Reeves Jacob18 on May 22, 2011

65

 I know the comics have well written bane stories, but I think one of the strengths of the Nolan Batmans so far has been that there HASNT been big muscle stereotypical bad guys but real life psycho/sociopaths! Im sure Nolan will be able to pull it off but this kinda worries me..sorry.

lando on May 20, 2011

66

From what I have read Bane is one of Batmans most intelligent villains.

Anonymous on May 20, 2011

67

Yes, Bane is basically a beefcake-y genius.  He is fluent in more than six different languages (I forgot how many exactly), has exceptional knowledge in the field of science as well as history and medicine and other stuff. On top of that he has a photographic memory. He's only this massive in size because he pretty much spent all his life in prison and (like most other convicts) starts to work out a lot and learns to fight to survive. Later he is chosen, or forced rather, as a test subject for a new drug which ends up enhancing his physical strength but ultimately   makes him depend on it as he can not go without another shot of that stuff to the brain longer than 12 hours. And that's what the mask in the picture is for.  Having seen Hardy as Bronson I have zero doubt that he will blow my mind as Bane.  And they HAVE to include him breaking Batman's back. I mean, that's his one huge feat. He was the man who broke the bat!  Harghsgsjkldgjsd;k!!! Ok, I'm done with my nerd rant now. =P

Anonymous on May 21, 2011

68

Thanks for the character history lesson :p And I watched Bronson after they announced Hardy as Bane, I agree that he will be amazing.

Anonymous on May 21, 2011

69

Haha, sorry. I got carried away.  What can I say, I'm easily excitable when it comes to things I like. =P 

Anonymous on May 21, 2011

70

Batman getting his back broken would make for a great opening sequence, it would also kind of fit with the title. 

Cody W. on May 21, 2011

71

Cool story bro.  J/K that really did help, thanks. 

JL on May 21, 2011

72

 All true, plus the drug makes him larger when he takes it, like instant size, strength etc.

Dkillaou on May 23, 2011

73

Exactly! People dont realize that the Bane in that poster is just the pre-Bane (before the drug). Im not sure how Chris Nolan will incorporate the after-drug Bane later in the movie since Chris Nolan does not like CGI, but it will be interesting for sure.

why so serious?! on Jun 17, 2011

74

 YES! YES! YYYEEEESSSSSSS!

Anonymous on May 20, 2011

75

Looks a little plain. 

Angry Chief on May 21, 2011

76

If Hardy plays this role as manic as he played Bronson,, it could be interesting. I wonder if thats why they offered him the part...?

Moif on May 21, 2011

77

It wouldn't surprise me. Bronson was amazing.  Kinda hard to believe that Bronson and Handsome Bob from RockNRolla are the same person. xD

Anonymous on May 21, 2011

78

 Epic.

Xerxexx on May 21, 2011

79

I whole heartedly agree with your tag line...  although I will say I just saw a movie in IMAX 3-D and it was pretty legit.  Not something every movie could pull off.  😉    

Anonymous on May 23, 2011

80

I agree!! 3-D is the biggest piece of shit ever incorporated into theater!!!! If the movie sucks, you'll have watched all the shitty-ness in all its glory right in front of your stupid face. Nothing great about it!

why so serious?! on Jun 17, 2011

81

Anybody that says they want him to be 'bigger' fucking shut your mouth and go whine somewhere else!!! Chirs Nolan knows what he is doing and Tom Hardy is an amazing actor, if you knew anything about physique you can see he is huge but realisticly huge! All of Nolans batman films have embraced a realism and this will be no different.  He could of gone and got Brock Lesnar or Stone Cold but they can act for shit! Tell me how well did the last live action transfer of Bane work?? FAIL!!!   This film will be amazing! Tom Hardy as Bane will be amazing!     

HoBoXtaz on May 21, 2011

82

I was expecting him to be hulk huge like in the Arkham asylum ps th only reason they failed at bain last time was because he wasn't cg like hulk

Goggleheadneo on Jun 1, 2011

83

Hmmm....don't see what is so interesting about this picture. Looks okay...intriguing...but does not move me. We are not really given a definitive take on the character from this picture.

Have Hope on May 21, 2011

84

how is it missing key characters when all you need is batman and villains which has been casted. 

Dim2thesum on May 21, 2011

85

They released an early picture of the joker to, remember? And in the end he turned out to look much different from the orginal photograph. I feel the same will happen with Bane. This is just an early version, with just his mask. I doubt none of the make-up work was done except in the spots on the forehead needed for the angle of the picture.  Expect him to look badass in the end.  We've only had a glimpse into the world of The Dark Knight Rises and we're busting nuts like squirrels on crack lol PS: by the way, JL, I would F the brains out of Anne Hathaway without hesitation. That doesnt  mean we cant joke around. Chill out!  Insecure much

Reeves Jacob18 on May 21, 2011

86

Well said.  IMO it's waaaaaaaaay to soon to be guessing on post production and what we'll see in 14 mos.    

Anonymous on May 23, 2011

87

holycrapOMG. I cant not freaking wait.

Frankie on May 21, 2011

88

Catwomans eye in the background ????

Waynebroadway on May 21, 2011

89

 I hate Nolan!!!! .......that makes me wait another year for full version of this Epicness

TTumMM on May 21, 2011

90

tom hardy is a very good actor,shame that mask isn't. he'll be good as bane,but not liking the mask. 

THANOS on May 22, 2011

91

Didnt know masks could act......sorry couldnt resist.

Cody W. on May 23, 2011

92

I hope it ends with Bane breaking Batman's back, like in the Knightfall series.

Alexander Dockx on Jul 11, 2011

93

Me like 8D

Amas on Dec 9, 2011

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