Tom Hardy is part of the select few actors who have appeared in leading roles in both Marvel and DC Comics movies. Venom: Let There Be Carnage will see Hardy return for his second outing as the anti-hero, but many fans continue to consider his best superhero-based performance as Bane.

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Appearing as the villain in The Dark Knight Rises, Bane became the greatest threat that Batman faced in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy. The character continues to be synonymous with Tom Hardy’s filmography for the sheer quality behind the way he was written. Although Hardy’s Bane has long been established as a great character, it’s worth looking into why he’s probably the best one the actor could ever portray.

Hardy Redeemed The Character From His Previous Live-Action Portrayal

Bane in The Dark Knight Rises

While the argument could be made that Batman & Robin is an underrated movie, there’s no doubt that the portrayal of Bane as an unintelligent brute was all wrong. Tom Hardy’s version not only did the character justice but eliminated the incorrect perception of Bane to mainstream fans unaware of the comics.

The quintessential version of Bane arguable belongs to Hardy now, as The Dark Knight Rises’ massive success means Hardy’s Bane is spoken of the most when the character is brought up. The portrayal in Batman & Robin is now firmly seen as a mistake, and Hardy's cunning and ruthless interpretation is far more appreciated.

Bane Gives Off A Horror Movie Vibe

Bane looks behind his shoulder in The Dark Knight Rises

Bane isn’t the first character with a mask that Tom Hardy has portrayed, although he might just be the most layered. Bane wasn’t a normal villain in The Dark Knight Rises, as he struck fear within the people (and the audience) wherever he went.

The scene where Batman is brutally beaten at Bane’s hands was something out of a horror movie, as the latter picked him apart through the shadows to "break" him. Elements such as this enable Bane to be a multifaceted antagonist who didn’t just chew the scenery and throw one-liners.

Hardy Stays True To The Comics' Persona

Bane about to kill Daggett in The Dark Knight Rises

Bane can very well defeat Batman with just his brute strength but that’s never how he executes his plan. The character relies on methodical tactics to both physically and mentally incapacitate Batman while having larger goals (unlike chaos-driven villains like The Joker).

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Tom Hardy’s Bane didn’t consider Batman as his rival and only engaged him because he was in the way. The antagonist intended to break Bruce's spirit and had planned every move - even before they had fought. Hardy’s Bane also emulated the character’s act of breaking Batman’s back as in the comics.

Hardy Leaves Fans Wanting More

Bane standing over Batman in The Dark Knigh Rises

Despite the end of The Dark Knight Trilogy, fans would be hyped if the series were to return. Tom Hardy’s portrayal was much lauded and many felt he should have gotten a complete ending. Bane was blasted away by Catwoman in his last scene, which had left fans wanting more.

It’s a mark of the actor’s ability to amaze viewers that fans will be glad to see a villain back on-screen. Although unlikely, DC Films’ expansion to term every Batman film series as its own universe provides some hope that Hardy could return in a multiverse event.

Hardy Has Highly Quotable Dialogue

Bane Unmasked Dark Knight Rises Plane Tom Hardy

The marketing behind The Dark Knight Rises centered almost entirely around Bane’s quotes, with trailers leaving out ominous pieces of dialogue from the character. Hardy’s delivery of his lines is what made these quotes come across as intended, with fans still repeating them about a decade later.

Bane’s dialogue was as thought-provoking as they were foreboding, as he tended to give out warnings for the pain he would inflict upon his victims. The command with which he uttered these words left the other characters with no choice but to be silent and listen.

Hardy Brings A Sympathetic Quality To Bane

Young Ra's Al Ghul looks at injured Bane in The Dark Knight Rises

Tom Hardy’s Bane’s main motivations were to please Talia Al Ghul, to whom he was completely loyal. Bane’s backstory showed he went through severe trauma to help her escape from the Pit and was left with permanent wounds as a result.

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This was a way for viewers to sympathize with him and see Bane beyond the monster he was largely made out to be. Even the small glimpse of Hardy’s face in the flashback communicated a lot as Bane’s determination to save Talia was understood, despite being brutalized shortly after.

Bane's Undisputed Victory Over Batman

Tom Hardy as Bane looking down in The Dark Knight Rises

Rarely do villains get a flawless victory over the hero and outside interference is generally used to protect the protagonist’s defeat. However, Tom Hardy’s Bane played into being one of Batman’s greatest villains and proceeded to dismantle everything Batman had done in his crime-fighting career.

It continues to rank amongst Tom Hardy’s great moments onscreen, as he portrayed Bane with a calm and collected disposition that was nonetheless terrifying to see. Even if the actor were to portray further superhero characters, Bane’s defeat of Batman will remain a crowning achievement.

Hardy's Role Pushed The Protagonist To Be His Best

Batman vs Bane in The Dark Knight Rises

The best type of villain isn’t supposed to dominate the story; it is to push the hero into completing their arc. Bruce Wayne was shown as a recluse when the story started and went on to save all of Gotham after being motivated to stop Bane and do what was right.

If it wasn’t for Bane, then Bruce wouldn’t have had gained the willpower to let go of his past and move on by giving up the mantle of the Batman. Hardy’s interpretation of the character was such that viewers were encouraged to feel a kinship between him and Batman, and Bruce realized he would end up as Bane if he didn’t get over Rachel’s death.

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