Tom Hardy: Taboo

If you're a regular reader of FH, you may remember that I don't normally post nude paparazzi shots of celebrities.  Although it's always thrilling when a shot of an actor you like is released, and it's very tempting to want to share them, I never want to intentionally post any image or screen cap that an actor did give their consent for.  The fact that most are all over the net is yet another reason there's no need to share them here.

I have however made a few exceptions.  I know it's pretty arbitrary, and in many ways an excuse, but if I see or read that an actor has discussed the images in question, and if they voice or appear being fine with their release, or if seem to be taking it in stride, I have posted a few.  Orlando Bloom is a good example.  I did not post his nudes for awhile when they first came out, then after seeing him laugh about them on a talk show, featured a few in a post..  

These behind the scene shots from the series Taboo, sort of fit into the category of 'assuming' the actor, in this case Tom Hardy, is ok with them being out there. I'm sure most have already seen them, they've been out for awhile.  They were reportedly shot for a nude scene from the series, which if you've watched, never showed nearly as much as in these behind the scenes shots.

Now, I have no way of knowing what Hardy thinks of the shots, or what he really thinks of on-screen nudity.  I do know however, that factually, there is nothing seen in these shots that Tom has not shown in a number of his films.  From my calculations, Hardy has had about 10 on-screen nude scenes.  Most on film, but a few were on television including a nude steam on the reality show Driven to Extremes.

Hardy's nude scenes have also not been subtle, or 'quick or you'll miss them' edits or scenes. Hardy has not only  had rear nude scenes, but also  been in four films with full frontals, all unrelenting in their boldness.  These shots from Taboo are interesting in that although Tom was nude on the show, his scenes were all filmed to show as little as possible.  These were taken while filming and Tom appears to totally comfortable being nude and free during the shooting process.

An interesting story from Kyle Buchanan's book was about a nude scene planned for Fury Road. If George Miller had his way, the film would have included yet another nude scene from Hardy.  Originally, in the scene near the beginning of the film, the scene in which Nux is suctioning off some of Max's blood, Max was supposed to be hanging upside down, fully naked.  The camera was going to pan in from behind to reveal a naked butt that would be revealed as Max. 

That changed however, after Hardy arrive on the Fury Road set for the first time.  When Tom first showed up, he quickly noticed how all of his male co-stars playing the War Boys were so fit and ripped.  Hardy began to fixate on the fact that although he had worked out to prepare for the role, he hadn't lost as much weight as all the others and his mind, didn't look as good.  

Frustrated that he wasn't as ripped as the guys he was sharing the screen with, it was decided to keep Max's clothes on.  Although fully dressed throughout the film, Hardy still looked incredible and strong in the role.  Maybe...we'll still get to see a naked Max in the upcoming Miller directed Mad Max project...