The author and photographer behind the 1967 photo-bookThe Bikeriders, Danny Lyon, has revealed that he was not allowed to lookTom Hardyin the eye and “hid behind tree” to avoid the acclaimed actor when visiting the set of the adaptation. Lyon reveals his experience in his new memoir,This Is My Life I’m Talking About, with the author saying he was excited to meet the Oscar-nominated actor andMad Max: Fury Roadstar…but this meeting did not go as he had hoped.
“They tried to keep me away but I finally get there. It’s f—ing freezing. I just want to meet Tom Hardy.
He gets on set and they say, ‘You can’t look at him.’ I said, ‘What do you mean? Why can’t I look at him?’ They say, ‘Oh, he doesn’t like it.’
So they make me hide behind a tree and all this bulls–t.”
Sometimes, it’s best not to meet your heroes. While Lyon’s experience was no doubt a huge disappointment, Hardy’s request that those visiting set “can’t look at him” is unlikely to be rare among actors, especially actors like Hardy who utilize anintense ‘method’ approach.
Known for playing isolated, violent characters who usually harbor a fierce rage, Hardy is likely to stay at least somewhat in character between takes. Which, evidently, means he’s not the most fun on set. But, regardless, perhaps he could have maintained his intensity while at least waving at Lyon from a distance?
Here’s hoping that Lyon gets to meet the actor under better circumstances whenThe Bikeriderspremieres later this year.
Patrick Stewart Previously Commented on Tom Hardy’s Isolated Behaviour on Set
This is not the first time that Hardy’s approach has left others a little disgruntled. Acting iconPatrick Stewart revealed how isolated Hardy wason the set of 2002’sStar Trek: Nemesis, in which the actor played the villainous Shinzon opposite Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
“On the evening Tom wrapped his role, he characteristically left without ceremony or niceties, simply walking out of the door. As it closed, I said quietly to Brent [Spiner] and Jonathan [Frakes], ‘And there goes someone I think we shall never hear of again.’ It gives me nothing but pleasure that Tom has proven me so wrong.”
These Are the Best Tom Hardy Movies, Ranked
The talented Tom Hardy is a highly-revered actor and producer, having starred in a bevy of remarkable and diverse movies over the past 20 years.
The Bikeriderspremiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival back in August last yearto much critical acclaim. Audiences will get to see how well Hardy’s method works on screen inThe Bikeriders. Check out the official synopsis below.
“The Bikeriders follows the rise of a midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a more sinister gang, threatening the original group’s unique way of life.”
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, who is known for crafting powerful dramas such asTake Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special,andLoving,The Bikeridersstars a stellar ensemble cast, including Jodie Comer (The Last Duel), Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road), Michael Shannon (The Shape of Water), Mike Faist (West Side Story), Boyd Holbrook (Logan), and Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead).
The Bikeridersis due to be released in theaters in the United States on July 18, 2025.
