‘I’m Old!’ Tom Hardy Reveals The ’90s Band That’s Powering Up His New Crime Drama

In the fast-paced world of MobLand, Tom Hardy and his co-stars are channeling a sense of nostalgia by bringing back a quintessential sound from the ’90s. As fans of the legendary British electronic punk band The Prodigy will immediately recognize, the final moments of the first two episodes of the new Paramount+ crime drama are punctuated by two of the band’s most iconic tracks—”Firestarter” and “Breathe.” These songs, featured in the final scenes, add an extra layer of intensity to the already chaotic action, taking viewers back in time to the late ’90s rave scene.

Tom Hardy, known for his intense and multifaceted roles, shared his thoughts with Men’s Journal about the decision to feature The Prodigy’s music in MobLand. Reflecting on the use of “Firestarter” at the end of Episode 1, Hardy remarked, “Yeah, it’s an interesting piece, putting ‘Firestarter’ at the end of the first episode. Because I wonder now it’s quite retro in some aspect. I guess youngsters are listening to things that for us, had come out when we were there.” Hardy’s musings highlight the timeless nature of The Prodigy’s music, even as it invokes nostalgia for those who remember raving to it during its original release.

The first episode’s intense conclusion with “Firestarter” sets the stage for Eddie’s (Anson Boon) journey, while the second episode’s finale features “Breathe,” coinciding with Hardy’s character Harry as he prepares to use brass knuckles in a gritty confrontation at the same club where Eddie’s turmoil began. For Hardy, this musical pairing brings a dual sense of nostalgia and relevance, as he continues, “Is it a throwback? It’s interesting. In some ways, maybe that’s like cutting [edge], and what younger people are listening to now.”

The choice of “Firestarter” and “Breathe” from Fat of the Land, The Prodigy’s groundbreaking album from 1997, is a bold one. This album redefined electronic music and punk, blending aggressive beats with anarchistic energy. The songs have since become synonymous with the high-octane energy of the era, and they continue to resonate across generations. MobLand’s decision to incorporate these tracks speaks to the show’s commitment to energy and chaos, providing a soundtrack that amplifies the intensity of the narrative.

Anson Boon, one of Hardy’s younger co-stars, was especially thrilled by the musical choice. At 25, Boon was introduced to The Prodigy’s music as part of the creative direction behind MobLand. “Guy Ritchie told me, we’ve got to put The Prodigy over this,” Boon recalls. “It’s got to be ‘Firestarter.’ It’s the only track for it. And it was quite handy to know that before we started filming, just to get the sense of what he was going to create in the final cut.”

Boon’s enthusiasm is shared by other members of the cast, including 51-year-old Paddy Considine, who plays Kevin Harrigan. Considine, like Hardy, feels that The Prodigy’s music has stood the test of time. “It hasn’t really dated that much,” Considine observes. “Things like The Prodigy, that’s what a lot of people are doing now anyway.”

For Hardy, the choice of music offers a personal connection to his own experiences growing up in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Despite his tongue-in-cheek remark about being “old,” he acknowledges the emotional pull that the music has for him and the entire cast. “It was Guy’s choice,” Hardy says of director Guy Ritchie’s input, “But I did feel like it drew me back to the 2000s or the late 90s. But what do I know, I’m old!”

Incorporating music from The Prodigy in MobLand not only underscores the raw energy of the show’s narrative but also brings a sense of nostalgia to viewers familiar with the band’s groundbreaking sound. As Hardy and his co-stars reflect on the significance of these tracks, it’s clear that The Prodigy’s influence remains as powerful as ever—continuing to fuel action-packed stories, even decades after their original release.