First Dark Knight Rises Image Reveals Monstrous Tom Hardy as Bane

[Tom Goldman]

First Dark Knight Rises Image Reveals Monstrous Tom Hardy as Bane

The beginning of Dark Knight Rises' viral marketing campaign has uncovered the first photo of Tom Hardy as Bane.

Christopher Nolan's third Batman film, Dark Knight Rises, recently began shooting in India, and so has begun its official marketing campaign. The newly launched Dark Knight Rises website currently features an auditory secret that has led to the first reveal of Tom Hardy in his Bane suit.

Except it really isn't as much a suit as a creepy mask and some cargo pants. Still, that mask is suitably creepy.

Visiting the website [http://www.thedarkknightrises.com] (as of this writing) plays an audio file of a group of people chanting that definitely sounds like it needs to be recorded and put through some remixing magic. Thankfully, someone already did that, discovering that the chanting says "the fire rises."

Totally not coincidentally at all, a twitter account called here [http://twitter.com/#!/thefirerises] in a collage building a greater image. Internet sleuths have already siphoned the final image of Tom Hardy as Bane out of the ether, but it's still a neat viral marketing scheme. Dark Knight Rises isn't scheduled to launch until July 20, 2012, so we have a long road of decoding secret Batman-related messages ahead of us if this is how it starts.

The term "the fire rises" is curious in comparison to "dark knight rises" as it seems to point at some kind of "fiery" antagonist rising up to face Batman. Already revealed for Dark Knight Rises is a rumored [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/109126-Young-Ras-Al-Ghul-Cast-in-Dark-Knight-Rises] to be in the film. That's my guess. As for how Bane fits in, I'm not sure, but judging by Hardy in this photo he's probably going to be punching the hell out of something.

Source: BatmanNews [http://batman-news.com/2011/05/20/thedarkknightrises-com-reveals-first-photo-of-tom-hardy-as-bane/]

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[Casual Shinji]

He looks like a humanoid pitbull...from Hell!

I fucking love it.

 

[messy]

What I have learnt today. Batman has his own news website.

 

[standokan]

I don´t know Tom Hardy but google says that he was in Inception, though he doesn´t seem as big as a Bane should look like, but `don´t judge a bane by its cover´ I guess

 

[Woodsey]

I am telling you, there's no way in hell that was a Lazarus pit, and even if it was a distant connection or reference to that, R'as will not be getting resurrected.

I will eat my own face if that happens.

[sub]And then you'll have seen everything.[/sub]

 

[repeating integers]

Just tweeted for that image. Can't wait for this film...

 

[GiantRaven]

I don´t know Tom Hardy but google says that he was in Inception, though he doesn´t seem as big as a Bane should look like, but `don´t judge a bane by its cover´ I guess

Spoiler: Tom Hardy in Bronson

 

[Owlslayer]

For a second there, i freaked out when i saw the date "20", and didn't bother to look the month...
Cause today is the 20th.
Anyways, hopefully the guy knows how to go "Hulk SMASH!" all over the screen.

 

[xanovich]

I don´t know Tom Hardy but google says that he was in Inception, though he doesn´t seem as big as a Bane should look like, but `don´t judge a bane by its cover´ I guess

Spoiler: Tom Hardy in Bronson

This is excatly what came in my mind!

 

[standokan]

I don´t know Tom Hardy but google says that he was in Inception, though he doesn´t seem as big as a Bane should look like, but `don´t judge a bane by its cover´ I guess

Spoiler: Tom Hardy in Bronson

That looks more like it, I found this guy ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362766/ )

 

[GiantRaven]

That looks more like it, I found this guy ( http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362766/ )

Yeah, he doesn't really look the part there. But hell, here [http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l0naarkbFy1qaciooo1_500.jpg] is Bats himself. I don't think it's much of a biggie to have to bulk up for a part.

 

[varulfic]

I'm so glad they went with Bane for the villian, and not that bouffon Riddler as was rumored. I'm still not that hyped about this movie though, I think Dark Knight stands on it's own and doesn't need a sequel, but atleast I can take it seriously now.

 

[Nate Corran]

I freaking LOVE the human hand on the mask. Psyched over Nolans version of Bane.

 

[Truly-A-Lie]

Yes. Yes... Yes a thousand times. I love that they left his eyes to be seen openly, if he showed anything in Bronson (besides being able to bulk up when necessary) it's that he can do ferocious eyes. I have a feeling this Bane could be quite terrifying.

 

[lee1287]

Tom Hardy thatgut from inception? I Like him, but i hate Ed Hardy.

 

[fulano]

He doesn't look as bulked up in the role of Bane.

here's how he looked in Bronson:

Though maybe it's the perspective, I dunno...

 

[Savber]

Buff up the arm and it might just work. ;P

 

[markcocjin]

People worried about too many characters spoiling the movie need not worry. It can be done. You just need to tell just one story and let the other subplots be relevant and a background to it.

 

[Arec Balrin]

Bane was simply the most realistic, non-cartoonish villain remaining in the Batman franchise. As he's not simply a rip-off of the Hulk but is best defined as a tactical genius with superhuman willpower which allows him to tolerate the Venom compound that makes him strong, a trade-off of course had to be made. Tom Hardy is the most big and muscular of the decent actors out there; the alternatives were gimmicky pro-wrestlers.

I'm going to guess though that in the Nolan version the Venom drug is actually an extract from the Lazarus Pit which is itself not magical but basically a hole in the ground filled with the chemical. It will have the feature of repairing damaged tissue which is how Rah'as will be resurrected as a young man. Bane will be taking the Scarecrow's role in that Rah'as will use him as a pawn to attack Gotham with, but Batman specifically. Bane will before the first half of the film break Bruce Wayne's spine because it is iconic Batman canon now. Batman will recover from his injuries as Selina Kyle will develop as a character from one-dimensional thief into person with feelings and not be able to deal with her love interest being paralysed for life so she will steal some Venom that will heal Wayne.

Also, kind of get the vibe that Rah'as will this time try to destroy Gotham from within. He will become Mayor or something and insist Gordon step up efforts to get Batman. Towards the end, Rah'as will be exposed, Batman will be legitimised and no longer considered a vigilante and the Bat-signal officially established again.