Tom Hardy Reveals the Surprising Franchise Role He Wants Back

Tom Hardy’s journey through Hollywood has been anything but predictable. He burst onto the scene with a breakout performance in Ridley Scott ’s Black Hawk Down, and that same year, he made his television debut in the acclaimed mini-series Band of Brothers . Despite this strong start, a string of less successful projects caused his star to dim for a while, making it seem like he might be another case of early promise fading too soon. But the early 2010s marked a turning point, as Hardy landed a series of major roles that catapulted him back into the spotlight. Today, he stands as one of the most bankable names in the industry, with a resume packed with blockbuster hits and iconic characters.

Hardy’s career has seen him step into some of the most recognizable franchises in film. He took over the lead in Mad Max: Fury Road, brought to life both DC ’s Bane and Marvel ’s Venom, and even appeared in Star Trek: Nemesis. Yet, when asked about his favorite franchise experience, Hardy’s answer caught many off guard.

Hardy’s Unexpected Favorite

In a conversation with The Playlist, Hardy reflected on his roles in some of the biggest film series ever made. When it came to picking a favorite, he didn’t hesitate.

I love Star Wars. My favorite character is Han Solo. No, I’d be well up for doing more Star Wars. That was great. I’ve always wanted to be in a Star Wars film. So playing a stormtrooper was fantastic,

he shared, his enthusiasm clear.

For those wondering when Hardy appeared in the galaxy far, far away, it’s understandable if you missed it. His cameo as a stormtrooper was filmed for the second movie in the sequel trilogy, The Last Jedi . In the scene, Hardy’s character unknowingly interacts with Finn, played by John Boyega, who is disguised as an Imperial officer. The moment even includes a playful slap on the backside—an unusual bit of humor for the franchise.

Star Wars Cameos: A Hidden Tradition

Hardy isn’t the only major star to make a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in the recent Star Wars films. Daniel Craig famously played the stormtrooper whom Rey first uses her Jedi mind trick on in The Force Awakens. That film also features cameos from composer Michael Giacchino, musician Nigel Godrich, and director Kevin Smith. The Last Jedi continued the trend, with Prince William and Prince Harry suiting up as stormtroopers. By the time The Rise of Skywalker rolled around, the number of celebrity cameos had reached new heights.

Despite the fun of filming, Hardy’s scene didn’t make the final cut for the theatrical release of The Last Jedi. So, technically, his dream of appearing in a Star Wars film remains unfulfilled. Still, with the franchise constantly expanding, it seems only a matter of time before Hardy gets another shot at donning the iconic armor.