Why Andy Serkis Directed Tom Hardy in 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage'

Read the fascinating insights into the process of bringing 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' to life, as Andy Serkis shares his experiences directing Venom's star, Tom Hardy. From the intricate details of performance capture to the creative journey of blending practical and digital effects, discover the challenges and successes that defined this sequel.

Andy Revisits His Collaboration with Tom Hardy

When Tom Hardy was seeking a director for Venom: Let There Be Carnage, he knew he needed someone with the expertise to bring CG characters to life. Thus, he turned to Andy Serkis, the world’s foremost authority on performance capture. Known for his role in films like Avatar, King Kong, and The Shape of Water, Serkis had long admired Hardy’s work and was eager to collaborate on this project.

Directing the Method Actor

Hardy’s method acting style posed a unique challenge for Serkis. 'I think it's creating the right atmosphere for him to feel comfortable,' Serkis explains. 'When you're doing something as bold as what he's doing, you need everybody to be singing from the same song sheet. And if you've got people who aren't quite in sync, then it's easy to be thrown because you're totally reliant on your imagination.' This close collaboration resulted in complex and memorable performances.

Performance Capture and Creative Insights

Serkis was initially optimistic about bringing his signature approach of performance capture to Venom: Let There Be Carnage. However, the nature of the character, particularly when inside Eddie Brock’s head, led to a different process. 'Tom had his own methodology in terms of creating Venom,' Serkis elaborates. 'Originally when I came on, I thought "Oh, we'll be doing lots of performance capture." But in a way because Venom is inside Eddie’s head for a lot of the time, I wanted to take on what Tom’s process was and where he was comfortable.'

Testing and Innovation

To capture the essence of the villainous Carnage, Serkis turned to performance capture for testing. 'We actually used performance capture a little bit in the testing process just to get some real physicality,' he discusses. The aim was to create a character that was 'slippery, light, sort of mellifluous, able to slip and shift his shape change molecularly and arm up and use tendrils in different ways.'

Bringing the Symbiote to Life

Serkis and Hardy’s approach to representing Carnage was rooted in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, with a twist. 'I wanted him to be so physically different from the way that Venom moved, so he wasn’t this big lump and almost kind of quarterback neanderthal and straightforward battering ram kind of energy that Venom has,' Serkis describes. By studying The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and the comics, Serkis and the team were able to create a visually distinct and psychologically complex Carnage.

Challenges and Triumphs in Filmmaking

The production of Venom: Let There Be Carnage was not without its challenges. Tom Hardy underwent extensive physical preparation, including knee surgeries, to be ready for the intense action sequences. Cinematographer Robert Richardson also had the unique task of adapting to the comic book style of filmmaking. 'The first movie was very dark, monochrome, and edgy with a lot of handheld, but this wanted to feel more classical. We were also going to use a lot more color predominantly because of the color of Carnage and the way that his color is a dominant force in the film,' Richardson explains.

Final Thoughts and Future Projects

Looking forward, Serkis discusses his upcoming roles and the excitement around The Batman. Though unable to discuss Alfred, his character, Serkis remains positive about the film. '[Reeves] is so super invested in it. But yeah I've been forbidden expressly forbidden to talk about Alfred.'

With Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Andy Serkis and Tom Hardy have pushed the boundaries of performance capture and storytelling in film, creating a vivid and thrilling cinematic experience.