Tom Hardy's 'Dark Knight Rises' Villain Rumored to be…
Rumors persist
Time to help me out comic book fans, just who is Professor Hugo Strange? I ask because that's who Batman News (via SlashFilm) is saying Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson) is rumored to play in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises.
Here's the snippet from the site:
My source strongly believes that Hardy is going to be playing Hugo Strange. This is the first bit of information from this person that I'm publishing, however they have been accurate in the past. For example, this person told me weeks before the recent Christoper Nolan interview that The Riddler would not be appearing in the film. They also mentioned that Rachel Weisz and Anne Hathaway were in the running for the lead female role a couple of weeks before Deadline posted their list.
I did do a quick peek at Wikipedia to learn about the character and it says he "first appears [in the comics] as a scientist who uses a stolen "concentrated lightning" machine that he uses to generate a dense fog, allowing him to rob banks unseen." The rest of the description sounds a little more "comic book-y" than Nolan's Batman films have gone in the past, but this first part doesn't sound too bad.
Any thoughts?
The Dark Knight Rises is set for a July 20, 2012 release.
Links from Other Sites You May Like
Showing 29 Comments
~ PLEASE NOTE ~
If, in any way, your comment is an attack on the author of this post or a previous commenter, your comment will be deleted without question.
Add a New Comment |
Click to Read Our Commenting Rules & Guidelines
That's the pre-Crisis Hugo Strange. The post-Crisis version is a psychologist who figures out Batman's identity through psychoanalysis. I'm pretty sure this would be the version they'd use, if they use this character.
Just to add, he'll most likely be a police consultant in the movie since the GCPD would be searching for Batman. It's rare for a story to have Strange team up with other rouges but he's sometimes a drug supplier for Scarecrow.
well lets hope he will be playing bullock, thats who i think he will be. think about it, crooked cop helping gordon yet plotting his death. sounds interesting to me!
Sounds like a pretty Awful idea to use a lesser know fanboy villain… go with a well know villain or this film will suffer
You think it has to be something like Catwoman or the Riddler? Scarecrow and Ra's al Ghul were both lesser known, if hardly known at all for Batman Begins.
I think this particular Nolan franchise is past the point of trying to sell tickets.
Ugh, I hope this is wrong. I want to see Hardy as Bullock or Black Mask.
YES bullock, thats what i have been saying all along, i really hope he is bullock!
Any version of Strange seems like an odd choice, I could see it working though if he throws in a version of Bane. Can't say I would love to see either, but I would give Nolan the benefit of the doubt any day of the week.
helllzz to the f yeah! dr. thomas hugo strange in the hiz-ouse! whoop whoop!! I've been saying this whole time that it would either be dr. strange or black mask! this works better because this way they don't have to make up some story of why a powerful crime boss would wear a freakin skull mask. however, i would still like to see black mask still! but having both villain's would take too much away from one another. I hope this means no catwoman though.. i dont know why it would mean no catwoman i guess i just don't feel like Dr. Strange and Catwoman would make a good combination in a movie, but thats just me…
I find this rumor highly unlikely. While I'm a fan of Prof. Hugo Strange I don't think he has enough presence or name recognition to finish the trilogy. We're talking the final chapter in the origin story of the Caped Crusader and they are going to have the head villain be a character who appeared 3 times before disappearing for nearly 35+ years and then appear only irregularly since?
A lot of people balk at the idea because Nolan said he would be "tricky" to adapt but I'm betting The Penguin is in the final movie. Nolan is well read on Golden Age Batman comics (the Joker in TDK was basically the GA Joker) so he'll know the Penguin of the 40s was a much different character than the one now. He'll also know that historically he is Batman's second greatest foe.
And you could get away with Ra's al Ghul and Scarecrow in Batman Begins because you didn't want villains who would distract from Nolan's goal of establishing a new type of Batman. Well now Batman has been established and the fans (not fanboys) want to see Nolan do the same thing with Batman's most famous foes, like he already did with Joker and Two-Face.
What about bringing in a villian from Metropolis and having Superman at the end show to tie into the new Superman movie?
I've already ventured a theory on that idea right here.
At first I was thrown off by it…but after thinking about this, I think he would be a great villain (think Ra's al Ghul but as a mad scientist). It may sound a little too comic-booky from a glance, but if you add in a creepy Harley Quinn this movie will definitely be as good as Batman Begins.
It might be that he ends up as a side villain, but that's just a hunch. If they add Catwoman, I'll be a bit disappointed because the villain won't feel that "new" like Scarecrow was.
Still wish Hush was a possibility, that was the best villain for Nolan's movies by far. But no Riddler probably turns down that idea.
Lets think about this carefully..
Lets view the options:
Maxi Zuess, Hugo Strange, Bane, Mad Hatter, Killer Croc, Black Mask, Penguin, the Great White, Dead Shot, Deacon Black fire, Firefly, Clay face, Man Bat, Anarky, Wraith, Promethuis, Hush, Redhood, and possibly Two Face (assuming there is a twist and hes not dead, which could be interesting having someone running the underworld and being an unknown kingping) Also excluding the riddler and mr. freeze and not considering the female villians that could possibly be included.
Now..with the list established. I think it is more reasonable that we are looking for a crime lord. If this is the last installment of the christopher nolan series we have to expect that Gotham is now a living hell, there are numerous masked villians and anarkist who have all followed the jokers lead and have taken crime to a whole other level.
Clay Face, Man bat, Killer Croc and Bane all seem to be highly unlikely, unintelligent and not "fitting" into the mold that has been set.
Red Hood, being one of my personal favorites seems unlikely given his true history of being Jason Todd as well as a past robin.
Bat man is going to bbe the villian for the greater part of the movie..having been blamed for the death of Harvey Dent and other Gotham police officials. I could see this going two ways..
1) There is a figure who appears to be working for Gotham, who is hunting batman. DeadShot, Mad hatter (being a psychologist) or Hugo (arkham dr.) I would bank on having one of the three. Dead shot seems dull and not a very deep character, we all know nolan gets off to over developing the personalities of his characters and well, Dead SHot has none. Mad Hatter..originally he was a pedofile, this could be altered, but a pedophile..dont see that not to mention his behavior being oddly familiar with the Jokers..I dont think he will want anyone compared to what Heath put out, so the behaviors will not be the same. I think Hugo is a reasonable guess for this reason.
2) As I mentioned, Gotham should be a shit hole of crime at this point. The black dude is dead, the russian is dead, Valconie is MIA…who is in control of the families? Answer, the masks. Penguin, Maxi Zuess, possibly the Great white..and the Black Mask..I would eliminate hush based on the idea that he is not a crime boss, hes a solo man aimed at destroying Bruce. If he is included I would not expect Hugo..
Lets face it, Maxi Zuess is dull..I cant see him fitted into a villian who could fill 2 hours or more. Perhaps mentioned but not a prime candidate. Penguin..its possible, but is he mad? No. He might be an arms dealer as originaly developed..but i dont see it. The great white..he is after black mask and really isnt a crime boss even yet in the comic series and kinda forgotten.
I know that Nolan strongly desired to create black mask in the first movie, I see him using this opportunity to bring him to life as Gothams New crime lord. Hes crazy, violent, and genius. Not on the same level as the Joker, but a bad ass none the less..he works.
So as my guess, I would say Black Mask + Hugo as the main villians if there are two men. If its one, perhaps work in hush to truely go after bruce as well as framing batman. (even though I like this idea I dont think the odds are in the favor) Never the less, Nolan can make things work. I could be completely wrong, but knowing the mind of Nolan. I think its reasonable..and he wouldnt put Tom Hardy as a worthless Bullok..Hardy is too good of an actor to be a simple alcoholic detective. Have you guys seen bronson? Hardy is what Ledger was..and he will be put in that type of role. Bullok is an inferior character to begin with, why even bring him in other than to mirror the comics..its pointless.
Hardy – Black Mask (Hes built too, why have him play old man Hugo? and hush isnt demented enough to require Hardy)
I could also see him bringing in Joseph Gordon levit for a lesser villian if there are infact two male villians.
Females..lets not get into that. I pray to God Nolan doesnt try to work in poison ivy, catwoman, Harley, the black cannary, the huntress or whoever the hell else..the female villans are more or less a joke..although Talia Al Ghul could pose as an interesting love interest as well as villian is complemented by the proper villian who is not only aimed at batman but brice (since she does know his identity)
to conclude.
Hugo/ Black mask (more reasonable)
Hush/ Talia
it depends the direction (i apologize for my banter and spelling, im kinda drunk, but right. Fan boys, get your heads out of your asses)
I think Penguin would work better than Black Mask. When Penguin first appeared in Dective Comics #58 he was a dapper but diminutive criminal, described as "his funny appearance hides an evil genius." He starts off working for the top racketeer of Gotham, pulling off ingenious crimes that leave the police and Batman stymied, until he finally kills his boss and takes over, becoming a grey eminence in the city. Batman goes undercover to investigate this mysterious crime boss whose name he has heard whispered amongst the underworld elite. When he finally encounters him he finds the Penguin is really Mr. Boniface, a respectable art dealer who frames Batman so the cops will take him down.
In that context he easily works in Nolan's universe: a criminal mastermind who operates in secret, who only Batman knows is a threat to the city.
i want to see the joker. just because heath died (may he rest in peace) the joker is out. they were clearly planning on having him have future incounters with batman so DO it. i think heath would want it that way. as for other villans i don't know if they have harley quin they have to have the joker. the joker has always been the king in the batman universe to boot him out. well that just sucks.
It's not Dr Strange. Why Chris Nolan wants a stupid villain like him?. He dose not fit in the story. Look, you want what to know what villain has more apportunaty?… Black Mask, Dead Shot, Harvy B or some new original villain. FYI, I don't like non of thouse villains, but this is the most Tom Hardy type he will play. Not a old fool playing Dr. If it's so…. this movie top The Dark Knight and that's what Chris Nolan wants. And for the women… It's going to be catwoman or Tali. Sorry, but so far all of this is not confirmed. So we need to chill until Chris Nolan say something, and that will be in….. 2 moths top's.
i still think it will be bullock
I mean: IT WONT TOP THE DARK KNIGHT*
Personal preference:
Male villains:
1. Black Mask
2. Hush
Tom Hardy is physical and can be demented enough to undertake either of these roles. Black Mask would be a great crime kingpin that has risen through the ranks because he is the most vicious. Hush is a dear child hood friend to Bruce, one hellbent on destroying him. Either leaves nolan plenty of great material to work with.
Female Villains/love interests:
1. Talia Al Ghoul
2. Selina Kyle / Catwoman
I love the thought of the story arc coming full circle with Talia, it is a story line that could be investigated & would only improve the viewing of batman begins. I know a lot of people are against including Catwoman, but shes a great foil for Bruce, someone he cares about too much to lock up, but not trustworthy enough to let his guard down. The combination of her and hush & the heart of hush story line would be great. Talia al Ghoul& please let them use Marion Colitard, she'd be phenomenal in either role.
If they have The Joker in this film I'm honestly not going to watch it. However, Black Mask or Strange would be cool. And if they were to have a female villain I would rather have Harley over Catwoman or Poison Ivy.
they need to use a villain that more than 2% of the population will actually recognize! Who cares about Hugo Strange? And that name is ridiculous.
Has anyone else seen the movie "Bronson" with Tom Hardy? I wonder if his phsychotic smile in the movie makes the people casting this movie want him for Hugo Strange for that reason.
yes i do think so, thats why its a huge rumor, but who knows? maybe it will be strange, but my signs all point to bullock
Bullock All The Way! but not the fat sloppy bullock, he will be the chain smoking crooked cop / gangster working for gordon yet plotting gordons death, sound interesting? strange would be ok but i just don't see it unless bullock is somehow fitted in there.
Just reading about the obsessive psychologist incarnation of Hugo Strange makes him sound like a fantastic choice. I have no previous familiarity with the character, but I would not be at all disappointed to see him in the film.
If Hugo Strange does feature, I expected he will be a psychologist, possibly a police psychologist, assigned to the Batman investigation.
At least aside from Bane, He's keeping with the normal villain rather than the superhuman type aka Mr. Freeze. I'm certain you could use some type of hallucination type gas to pull off the invisibility idea. Lets hope it's more about telling a story than special effects.