The action thriller Havoc—starring Tom Hardy, among others—has caused quite a stir over the last few months in the film industry. This makes it notable as the largest budget feature film ever shot in Wales. Directed by Gareth Evans, who grew up in Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, the film harnesses the unique landscapes of Wales, showcasing its potential as a prime location for future productions.
Production
Filming occurred in several locations around the country, including Swansea, paying particular attention to the countryside of Merthyr Mawr.
“Havoc” focuses on the fallout from a drug deal gone bad, with Hardy as a detective who’s forced to fight his way through a dank underbelly of crime. Havard and A24 shared that the film would star Jessie Mei Li in the starring role. It features heavy-hitters like Forest Whitaker, Luis Guzmán, and Timothy Olyphant. Produced by US outfit XYZ Films in partnership with Wales-based Severn Screen, the… Read More This partnership is a further example of the increasing move towards international picture takers realizing the undiscovered potential of Welsh scenes.
The production has since faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a writers’ strike in the United States. Even with these challenges, it was able to move through successfully. An announcement in 2021 that Hardy and Whitaker were seen filming in south Wales added to the buzz surrounding the project.
Gareth Evans, perhaps the foremost expert on action filmmaking, set forth his vision for “Havoc” in a recent interview. He described how the film’s concept originated from a singular image:
“I had this, like, one core image which was a corrupt cop in a crime scene where a drug deal’s gone wrong and for whatever reason he was scooping cocaine into a coffee cup.” – Gareth Evans
He further discussed how the story developed, explaining that it “all boomed out from there.
Evans stressed the unique blend of styles that Hardy infuses in the film. He stated,
“One of the nicest things about Tom [is] I knew I was in my wheelhouse when it came to action film-making, but with Tom his skillset is deep dive explorations into morally complex characters and so we were able to fuse two styles together.” – Gareth Evans
So, from the production team’s point of view, there was a huge push to create that truly American feel, even in Welsh locations. Evans speaking about his travels across Swansea, Port Talbot, Cardiff, and Newport searching for the right architectural features to use in the film.
“I started going around, like, Swansea, Port Talbot, Cardiff and Newport, looking for any little bit of architecture that I could find that might pass as a little bit Americana.” – Gareth Evans
Key filming locations included Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, which served as the exterior of an American police precinct, and Swansea University’s Bay campus, which provided street shots for the film. On top of this, a fishing shack was built in the stunning dunes of Merthyr Mawr for certain scenes.
Evans is confident that “Havoc” will go a long way to changing perceptions of Wales as a serious filming destination. He remarked,
“I think it’s always been seen as an option but when they see Havoc and what we pulled off, I think it’s going to blow their minds and really make Wales a lot more viable for a lot of people.” – Gareth Evans
Aram Tertzakian, involved in the project, echoed this sentiment, stating,
“Gareth brought me to Wales for this project because he is a great patriot and wanted to figure out how to make films in Wales.” – Aram Tertzakian
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