Batman star Tom Hardy shows off his tattooed biceps - in a pink vest

By Nadia Mendoza





For anyone who says being an actor is a doss of a job, should take a look at Tom Hardy.



The British actor has clearly been battling a gruelling workout routine to build him up to villain stature.



Showing off his bulging biceps during a shopping trip in LA, it was also the width of his shoulders and bulk of his chest that looked intimidating.



Hench: Tom Hardy shows off his bulky frame during a break from filming the latest Batman film The Dark Knight Rises at The Grove in California





But the juxtaposition of the pink vest against the tattooed muscles made the 33-year-old seem a little less menacing.



During his visit to the The Grove mall in sunny California, it seems Tom's appearance may have been a little daunting to staff at the parking valet.



While conversing with the actor, the security guard kept his hands glued in his pockets and the uniformed attendant stared with his mouth wide open.



Incredible Hulk: Actor towers above security guard and parking attendant as he shops at The Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles



Transformation: Tom looks completely different compared to his nerdy look back in 2003



The Londoner, born and raised in Hammersmith, has been beefing up to play the villain in the new Batman film.



Hardy takes on the role of Bane, the arch nemesis of the caped crusader, in the latest offering from director Christopher Nolan.



Christian Bale reprises his role as Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight Rises, which also sees Anne Hathaway and Marion Cotillard aboard the ship.



This is not the first time the Bafta-winner has manipulated his physique for a role.



Despite starting out as a beanpole in his early career, he infamously gained weight to play the title character in 2009's Charles Bronson.



Hardy piled on 42lbs to portray the murder, level-pegging with Hollywood greats Robert DeNiro and Russell Crowe, who put on 60lbs and 63lbs respectively, for Raging Bull and Body Of Lies.





Action man: Christian Bale fights villain Bane, played by Hardy, on the front steps of Gotham City Hall in Pittsburgh





source:dailymail