Tom Hardy Says His Portrayal Of 'Venom' Was Inspired By Conor McGregor

Actors use many different methods to 'get into character'; indeed some method actors can remain in character for months in order to nail the part. But when you're cast as a man who makes contact with an 'alien symbiote', then this isn't really an option.

For those who are unsure what exactly an 'alien symbiote' is, it's basically a fictional amorphous race that bond with their hosts to form a single entity.

Perhaps the most famous symbiote is Marvel Comic character, Venom, who is played by Tom Hardy in the upcoming Venom film, which is due to be released next month.

The film is the first Spider-Man spin-off, chronicling the story of journalist Eddie Brock, who comes into contact with the symbiote and becomes Venom. But how to get inside the mind of this strange hybrid beast. Well, it turns out Conor McGregor was among those who inspired Hardy, though he was more of an influence on the Brock-side of Hardy's portrayal.

"There was an aspect the studio wanted somebody who could fight, which they always do in these sort of hero movies. They want somebody who can have a scrap. Conor obviously wants to have a scrap with everybody, so that's useful."

"He [McGregor] was definitely a key note but I don't know if you'd recognise him in the portrayal. It was more of an interior choice, if that makes sense."

Pressed on whether he thought McGregor would be offended or flattered by the comparison, Hardy coolly replied: "I don't think he'd be bothered, really. Conor doesn't strike me as the type of person who might be that bothered."

But we all know by now that Hardy is an actor who can paint intriguingly multi-faceted characters that you can't take your eyes off. As such, it is unsurprising to learn that he drew his inspiration for the role from more than just the Irish fighter.

The 41-year-old said: "There were elements like the neuroses of Woody Allen. So, if you put that and Conor together, there was that too.

"Then there were bits of Harrison Ford as well from Indiana Jones and other elements within."

Well, if Tom Hardy playing some kind of Conor McGregor/Woody Allen/Indiana Jones/symbiote alien thing all rolled into one isn't enough to whet your appetite then you're a lost cause.