Tom Hardy is swiftly becoming a solid bet when it comes to physically demanding roles; the actor has already pumped himself up for parts in Bronson, Warrior, and The Dark Knight Rises, but he may be taking his dedication to a different level (or at least a different elevation). Deadline Hollywood reports that the actor is “in early talks” for the role of George Mallory in Doug Liman’s fact-based Everest. While this is an early report, Hardy certainly seems like a very good fit for the part, so hopefully this scoop will pan out for all involved.
Liman, who is apparently both “an avid climber and fan of the Mallory story” will helm the film from a Sheldon Turner script adapted from Jeffrey Archer’s book, “Paths of Glory.” The story centers on the British Mallory who, so determined to be the first man to ever scale Everest, he tried it three times in the 1920’s. It’s still a topic of hot debate as to whether Mallory and his climbing partner, Sandy Irvine, ever did make it to the top of the mountain – they were last seen on Mallory’s third attempt in 1924 as they attempted the final leg of the climb. Their bodies were discovered in 1999, and that discovery and the subsequent investigation as to whether the pair made it was the subject of Anthony Geffen’s documentary, The Wildest Dream. It really is wild stuff.
You can get a look inside Archer’s book over at Amazon.
Hardy is currently filming the long-gestating Mad Max: Fury Road. Liman will film Everest after he completes All You Need Is Kill.
