8. Tom Hardy
This year Hardy has starred in a lacklustre rom-com, and portrayed both a cardigan-wearing hick and Bronson with a muzzle. Hardys Bane was arguably the years greatest villain, and he fit Hillcoats prohibition-era black comedy like a glove, giving heart and gravitas and aping Guy Pearce as the films best character. Despite passable chemistry with Chris Pine in a dire rom-com, he managed to give 2012 two of its most physically engaging performances. Take the mick out of Banes voice all you like, but Hardy had to not only rescue a character forever ruined in Batman and Robin, but give a domineering performance with only his eyes and his body language. Were not quite sure what next year will bring for Tom Hardy - whether his outlaw biker, animal poacher, Splinter Cell and Everest projects get off the ground before 2013 ends, or if Mad Max will be released late in the year remains to be seen, but needless to say hes had a very good year.