Austin Butler reflects on filming scenes with ‘intense’ Tom Hardy for The Bikeriders as he joins Jodie Comer at a Q&A in New York

Austin Butler reflected on filming alongside his ‘intense’ co-star Tom Hardy in The Bikeriders as he took part in a Q&A with Jodie Comer in New York on Thursday.

Ahead of the film’s release on Friday, the pair attended a BAFTA New York Screening at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater where they discussed starring in the Jeff Nicholls drama.

Based on Danny Lyons’ 1967 photo book of the same name, the film focuses on the Midwestern motorcycle gang The Vandals and its evolution from a close-knit family to a violent syndicate.

Discussing his role in the film as young biker Benny, Austin admitted that there was one scene next to Tom, who plays gang leader Johnny, that showed his “genius” in portraying the intensity of their exchange.

He said, ‘That scene, the interesting thing about that scene was that it was never written that way, and when we got there on set and just blocked the scene, he said, ‘Okay, Tom, you’re sitting there on the bike and Austin comes on the stool and you stand six feet apart for that scene.”

Austin Butler reflected on filming alongside his ‘intense’ co-star Tom Hardy in The Bikeriders as he attended a Q&A to promote the film in New York on Thursday

Ahead of the film's release on Friday, the actor joined Jodie Comer for a BAFTA New York Screening at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater.

Ahead of the film’s release on Friday, the actor joined Jodie Comer for a BAFTA New York Screening at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater.

“We did it like this once, and then Tom walks up and gets as close as he gets, and that’s the kind of closeness you don’t normally encounter in your everyday life, unless someone’s going to kiss you!

“So, and he’s an intense guy. and so he kept that tension and Jeff talked about it because I couldn’t see the shot they move the camera and realize he’s getting closer and closer and then Tom his genius at one point he ducks his head and it just hit perfectly so you could see his face.’

During the question-and-answer session, Austin revealed the terrifying moment he started filming one of his driving scenes, fearing he might crash due to faulty brakes.

He said: ‘The brakes don’t really work, so when you came off the other side of a bridge I just thought, ‘God, I think this bike is going to stop!’

Jodie also reflected on her role as Kathy, who is drawn into the world of The Vandals after her marriage to Benny.

The Killing Eve star said: ‘It was interesting because there’s actually a lot of mystery surrounding them.

‘There were a lot of questions about their relationship that I didn’t have the answers to, and that I kind of embraced again.

“I think it was very clear to me with Kathy that she fell in love with this man who had such a sense of freedom, he wasn’t tied to one thing, and I think we can all relate to that when you’re like that met someone. .’

Discussing his role in the film as young biker Benny, Austin admitted that there was one scene besides Tom that showed his

Discussing his role in the film as young biker Benny, Austin admitted that there was one scene besides Tom that showed his “genius” in portraying the intensity of their exchange.

In the film, Austin plays the young biker Benny, while Tom plays the leader of The Vandals Johnny

In the film, Austin plays the young biker Benny, while Tom plays the leader of The Vandals Johnny

Jodie also reflected on her role as Kathy, who is drawn into the world of The Vandals after her marriage to Benny

Jodie also reflected on her role as Kathy, who is drawn into the world of The Vandals after her marriage to Benny

Channeling her on-screen alter ego, Jodie opted for an oversized leather jacket as she attended the Q&A

Channeling her on-screen alter ego, Jodie opted for an oversized leather jacket as she attended the Q&A

The Bikeriders is based on a 1967 photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon, and first premiered last August at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival.

The Bikeriders is based on a 1967 photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon, and first premiered last August at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival.

The Bikeriders is based on a 1967 photo book of the same name by Danny Lyon, and first premiered last August at the 2023 Telluride Film Festival.

Other stars cast in the project include Tom, Mike Faist and Michael Shannon in addition to Jodie, Austin and Norman.

The premise is: ‘After a chance meeting, the headstrong Kathy is attracted to Benny [Butler]member of Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals.’

“As the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence, Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club,” a club spokesperson said. IMDB summary.

As for taking on the role of Kathy in the film based on a real-life motorcycle gang, Jodie shared Vanity fair in February that The Bikeriders is “told from her perspective.”

“I’ve been a huge fan of Jeff for so long. I was Zooming with him when I did Prima Facie, and he sent me the script and he said, “Just so you know, I have 30 minutes of audio from [the real-life] Kathy.”‘

Jodie added: “When he sent that to me, and I read the script, and I knew it was him directing it, I thought, I have to do this. I loved trying to get as far away from myself as possible.”