Reports on Tom Hardy’s Firing Were Wrong, the ‘Mad Max’ Star Set to Return for Season 3
‘Things are being worked through creatively.’
Reports that Tom Hardy was fired from MobLand were wrong, and the Mad Max star is now in discussions to return for Season 3. Sources close to the Paramount+ series confirmed that Hardy was never officially let go, and creative talks are actively underway to bring him back as gangster Harry Da Souza.
The confusion started last week when reports surfaced that Hardy had been fired after clashing with producer Jez Butterworth and producer David Glasser. Those reports, however, were premature. A source told Variety, “Tom was not fired, the door is not closed for Season 3, and things are being worked through creatively.” The situation is far from resolved, but the fact that discussions are still happening is a positive sign for fans of the show.
MobLand has been a major hit for Paramount+, with Season 1 becoming one of the platform’s most-watched series when it dropped in 2025. Season 2 has already wrapped but hasn’t premiered yet, and Season 3 was originally set to begin production this fall. Hardy’s return was always the plan, but tensions behind the scenes threatened to derail that. Now, it seems like there’s still a chance to salvage the show’s future with its original cast intact.
The root of the conflict appears to be a mix of creative differences and logistical frustrations
Hardy, known for his intense preparation and hands-on approach to roles, reportedly clashed with Butterworth over late script deliveries. Sources say Butterworth sometimes handed in scripts just a week before shooting, which didn’t give Hardy enough time to rehearse. “Tom likes to prepare,” one source explained, and the tight turnaround made that difficult.
Butterworth’s absence from the set also didn’t help. While he co-created the show with Ronan Bennett, he wasn’t present during filming, which meant script issues had to be resolved through middlemen. “The only people Butterworth really speaks to is David Glasser,” a production source said. “Very few people on the cast or crew have anything to do with Jez. We never see him.”
This lack of direct communication made it harder to address Hardy’s concerns, which reportedly included requests for script changes. Some of those ideas were described as “very sound,” but without Butterworth on set to approve them, they became a sticking point.
Guy Ritchie, who directed several episodes and serves as an executive producer, has a much better rapport with Hardy. The two have worked together since RocknRolla in 2008, and their mutual respect keeps things running smoothly. “He’s better behaved with Guy,” a source said.
Ritchie’s experience and authority allow him to make on-the-fly script adjustments, which helps when Hardy has notes. But when other directors were in charge, the process became more complicated. “The director can’t suddenly turn around and go, ‘Well, let’s rewrite the scene,’ because they don’t have that authority,” the source explained.
Hardy’s reputation for being difficult precedes him
However, sources say his behavior isn’t malicious. “Tom gets slightly lost in his own little world sometimes,” one insider said. “I don’t think he does it maliciously. I don’t even know if he particularly thinks he’s really doing it.” His need for extra time in the mornings to get into character has caused delays, leaving co-stars like Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren waiting on set.
While that’s frustrating for everyone, sources say there’s no real animosity between Hardy and Mirren. “Helen is not that sort of person,” a source said. “If she had a problem with Tom, she would have said to his face, ‘Look, come on, let’s just stop wasting everyone else’s time and let’s get on with it.’”
The idea that politics played a role in Hardy’s reported firing is completely unfounded. According to Vulture, some fans speculated that Mirren, who has been vocal about her support for Israel, might have pushed for Hardy’s removal because of his pro-Palestine stance. Sources dismissed this as “wildly unhelpful and untrue.” Mirren even took to Instagram to post a photo of Hardy with the caption, “Love you now and always helen,” putting those rumors to rest.
Glasser, the CEO of 101 Studios and a producer on MobLand, has been less forgiving of Hardy’s behavior. Known for running a tight ship, Glasser reportedly lost patience with the actor’s tardiness and script demands. “David is not prepared to be held to ransom by an actor, even if it’s the leading actor,” a source said. Glasser’s no-nonsense approach clashed with Hardy’s more improvisational style, but sources say the producer is open to finding a solution.
Theoretically, the show could continue without Hardy
“I think you’d probably lose a fair amount of viewers, but I think it would be quite easy to carry on,” a source said. Brosnan, Mirren, and Paddy Considine are all strong enough actors to anchor the series, and Hardy’s salary could be used to bring in high-profile guest stars. But recasting his role or writing him out entirely would be a messy solution.
“I could think of ten ways they could write him out, but they’re not very elegant,” the source admitted. “It’s a bit like the same way Yellowstone got rid of Costner.”
For now, the focus is on finding a way to keep Hardy in the fold. Ritchie’s influence could be key, as he’s one of the few people Hardy trusts. Paramount+ has mostly stayed out of the drama, letting the creative team work through their differences. With reshoots for Season 2 still needing Hardy’s involvement, there’s added pressure to resolve the situation quickly.
(Featured image: Paramount+ / IMDB)
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