Tom Hardy: 10 Roles That Passed You By

Another military drama based on actual events, Black Hawk Down saw Hardy once more on active duty, but this time in 1990s Somalia as Specialist Lance Twombly. Not recognising him is entirely forgiveable not just because it was only his first appearance in a feature film, but mostly because of the other famous faces he stars alongside. It may be over two hours long, but Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, and William Finchtner are just a small number of the better known actors who Hardy had to compete with for screen-time. 

Initially seen offering advice to Ewan McGregor's Grimesey as he prepares for his first combat mission, it is Hardy who suggests he may as well bring dope and beer instead of night vision goggles. The first of two Trainspotting alumni he stars with, as when he later gets separated from his unit, his own particular battle sees him paired with Ewen Bremner. Unsure as to their orders regarding how to be picked up, they make their way to the titular crash site, with with an unfortunate deafening, and even friendly fire, in the process.

Working alongside those who were already famous at the time of its release, Tom Hardy wasn't the only unknown whose career has taken off since. Undoubtedly the unknown to have achieved the most though, even more than Game of Thrones' Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.