The highly anticipated Venom The film is due out at the cinema on October 5th and actor Tom Hardy gave a preview of his interpretation of Eddie Brock – the fictional journalist who becomes the anti-hero Venom.

The inspiration for the character came from an unexpected source … Conor McGregor.

In an interview with RTÉ Entertainment, Hardy explained how he watched the Irish star of the UFC for the personality of his character. He saw McGregor as someone who was always ready to fight and wanted that in Eddie Brock.

Via RTÉ Entertainment:

"It was not Venom: it was not based on him. There were more Eddie Brock items that needed to be pinned on an incredibly practical person. And, of course, Conor is incredibly practical physically.

"There was an aspect that the studio wanted someone who could fight, what they always do in this kind of hero movies. They want someone who can have a scrap metal. Conor obviously wants to have a scrap with everyone, so it's useful.

Hardy added that he also did not think McGregor would be offended.