Yesterday, Tom Hardy made some surprising remarks about Venom, stating that around "30 to 40 minutes" of his favourite scenes in the movie ended up on the cutting room floor. Needless to say, many fans worried about what sounded like the best parts not making it into the final version and now the British actor has been forced to clarify his remarks in what appears to be classic damage control.
On the red carpet last night, Hardy said that everything he wants in the movie is there "and more," claiming that his comments had been "misunderstood" and what ended up being cut were actually the many hours he spent improvising (which sounds pretty bizarre based on those first reactions).
"That’s been misunderstood. What I’m trying to say is, the question was [what] scenes I was most excited to shoot…and I was like, there’s a bunch of stuff that hasn’t made the movie. And I’m talking [from] an actor’s point of view. So what I’m saying is I had a lot of time improvising and a lot of freedom to play with Venom. So in honesty there’s probably about 7 hours or more worth of footage of me playing as Venom and enjoying myself…and when I was doing it I took him right out there, and played with it and had a lot of fun because there’s a lot of fun you can have with the project and with this character.
"And me and the other executive producers know full well that has nothing to do with what’s in that story. Nevertheless, would I like to watch a 7-hour version of Venom? Yep! But that’s as an actor. But the truth [of it] is everything we wanted is in the story. Everything I want is in the story. And more. And the film is awesome. And I’m excited and I just want to shoot a sequel. Bottom line – don’t get it twisted. As an actor, what we love doing, not everything’s going to make it! I don’t want anyone to think in any way shape or form…that’s not a studio party line, that’s the genuine truth. This movie is awesome. Everything we want is in it. Everything I want is in it. And more. And I’m just saying if I didn’t get my song and dance routine in it, that’s nothing to cry about, but I may have enjoyed that. So if there’s a sequel, hopefully, I can sing and dance in that."
Do you buy Hardy's remarks or do you think he got a dressing down from a studio worried that the first Spider-Verse spinoff will be a critical and commercial disaster? Share your thoughts down below.