How a 16-Year-Old TV Show Ruined Austin Butler & Tom Hardy's Biker Movie Surprise

Austin Butler and Tom Hardy star in the upcoming movie "The Bikeriders," directed by Jeff Nichols. The film has faced delays but is now set to be released on June 21, 2024, by Focus Features.

"The Bikeriders" is set in the 1960s and follows the story of the Chicago motorcycle club Vandals MC from its beginnings to its eventual decline over a decade. Tom Hardy plays Johnny, the club's founder, while Austin Butler portrays Benny, a young member who forms a close relationship with Johnny.

Despite a new trailer released by Focus Features, the movie's plot has already been revealed by a TV show that aired years ago.

The Bikeriders’ Club Might Have The Same Fate As Sons of Anarchy's SAMCRO

Jax saying goodbye in Sons of Anarchy-1 - The Bikeriders’ Club Might Have The Same Fate As Sons of Anarchy's SAMCRO

Throughout Sons of Anarchy, the club faced dangerous situations that put SAMCRO in jeopardy.

The Bikeriders is similar to Sons of Anarchy, a TV show created by Kurt Sutter and aired on FX from 2008 to 2014. The show took viewers to the fictional town of Charming, California, where they met the motorcycle club known as SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original). Sons of Anarchy followed Jackson “Jax” Teller, the club’s VP and heir to SAMCRO, as he navigated being the son of one of the founding members. Leading SAMCRO was President Clay Morrow, Jax’s stepfather, whose vision for the club clashed with that of Jax’s father.

Throughout Sons of Anarchy, the club went down dangerous paths that nearly destroyed it. It all began when Clay got SAMCRO involved in weapons trafficking, and later, in drug trafficking too. Originally, SAMCRO was a sanctuary for men seeking freedom from society's rules. Jax's father, John, and co-founder Piermonth "Piney" Winston, struggled to readjust after the Vietnam War. In the end, to save SAMCRO, sacrifices had to be made, including the life of Jax.

Both The Vandals and SAMCRO shared a common goal at the start, but eventually, they veered off course and caused harm to their respective clubs.

The trailer for The Bikeriders showcases Johnny's desire to establish a motorcycle club, while Damon Herriman's character, Brucie, emphasizes the sense of belonging within the club. However, as the Vandals MC evolves, it becomes increasingly violent and delves into illegal activities such as drug trafficking and gambling. This leads to conflicts with other motorcycle clubs and internal tension among its members. Similarly to SAMCRO, the Vandals lose sight of their original purpose, ultimately causing harm to the club and its members. The path taken by the Vandals and Johnny seems to be heading towards a tragic and violent conclusion, with potential betrayals unfolding, mirroring the fates of Clay and Jax in Sons of Anarchy.

How The Bikeriders Can Be Different From Sons of Anarchy

Tom Hardy and Austin Butler in The Bikeriders Cropped - How The Bikeriders Can Be Different From Sons of Anarchy

Instead of focusing on its characters’ search for power within the club, The Bikeriders can focus more on the bond between the Vandals.

Sons of Anarchy started with Jax discovering his father’s manifesto and wanting to uphold his legacy by steering SAMCRO towards John's original vision. However, as Jax delved deeper into his family and the club, he became increasingly disenchanted and ended up going against his initial plans. Upon becoming President, SAMCRO faced near destruction and endured numerous tragedies, notably the deaths of Opie and Bobby. The Bikeriders could take a different path with Benny playing the role of the voice of reason within the club.

Benny has the opportunity to succeed where Jax faltered, safeguarding the Vandals by leading them down a new road that avoids the potential downfall of the MC and the loss of its members. Instead of focusing on power struggles within the club, as seen with Clay and Jax, The Bikeriders could emphasize the bond among the Vandals and how the club's direction impacts their personal lives. While comparisons to Sons of Anarchy are inevitable, The Bikeriders can carve out their own space and coexist with their predecessor, thanks to their unique approach.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an intriguing comparison between the upcoming film "The Bikeriders" and the popular TV show "Sons of Anarchy." It highlights the similarities between the two stories, both involving motorcycle clubs that face challenges and internal conflicts. While "Sons of Anarchy" delved into themes of power struggles and loss, "The Bikeriders" has the potential to focus more on the bonds between the club members and the impact of their actions on their personal lives. This unique approach could set "The Bikeriders" apart from its predecessor and offer a fresh perspective on the complexities of motorcycle club culture.

However, the article also raises concerns about the film's plot being revealed through a TV show that aired years ago. This could potentially diminish the impact of the film and leave audiences with a sense of familiarity. It would be interesting to see how the filmmakers address this issue and whether they can still create a compelling and original story despite the prior exposure.