Havoc director Gareth Evans reveals he never wanted to make Tom Hardy unlikeable in the Venom star’s new thriller for Netflix.
In the highly-anticipated action film, Hardy portrays guilt-ridden detective Walker who partners up with newcomer Ellie (played by Jessie Mei Li) to investigate a drug dealer’s murder.
When Walker discovers the estranged son of mayor Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker) is wrapped up in the criminal underworld, he races against the clock to find him while being haunted by a recent error of judgement.
“It’s such a balancing act,” Evans said of creating Walker in an exclusive chat with Express Online.
“If it goes in the wrong direction Walker can become extremely unlikeable.”
Thankfully, Havoc’s production was spearheaded by Hardy’s presence in the leading role, an actor with years of experience injecting his flawed characters with undeniable charisma.
“But there’s a sort of swagger and a charm and a charisma to him, and maybe a dry sense of humour,” the director continued.
“Finding the little pockets of levity or playfulness in the way he was delivering his dialogue that makes you want to like him.
“So, he’s salty as anything but you still kind of love him and want to go on that journey with him.”
Havoc’s stunt coordinator, Jude Poyer, also maintained the thriller contains a soft centre despite the onslaught of violence and corruption.
Speaking to Express Online, he added: “What I appreciate about the films Gareth makes is that stunts are great, spectacle is great, I love a good fight scene…
“But if there’s an emotional anchor to it, and if you care about the characters and there’s some heart to a story, that makes all the difference.
“As I get older I gravitate more towards projects both as a filmmaker and also as an audience member where I’m emotionally engaged. People will talk about the spectacle and the action of Havoc, which I’m happy about, but this is a film with a lot of heart.
“I think about the performances by Forest Whitaker, by Justin Cornwell, by Yeo Yann Yann, who’s just incredible. We don’t have cartoon heroes and villains in this movie.
“Everybody’s complicated and a shade of grey and that makes Havoc doubly special.”
The exhilarating new thriller from the director of The Raid films and Gangs of London should certainly be at the top of your Netflix watchlist if it’s not already.
If you’ve already loved Hardy in this year’s crime saga MobLand on Paramount+, make sure to mark your calendars for the release of Havoc.
Havoc premieres Friday, 25th April on Netflix.