Tom Hardy’s Double Whammy: Actor Plays Both Kray Twins In New Film ‘Legend’

Tom Hardy has received rave reviews for his performance of both Ronnie and Reggie Kray in the trailer for the upcoming film biopic about the notorious East End villains.

It’s rare for film critics to start gushing with praise on the strength of a trailer alone, but Tom Hardy is no ordinary actor, and that’s probably why Hardy was handpicked to play both Reginald and Ronald Kray in the upcoming movie Legend.

As well as being a pair of ruthless and violent gangsters, Ronnie and Reggie were larger than life characters whose life and times have been documented in countless books, but strangely enough, until now, only one movie.

The Krays, released in 1990 and staring British pop peacocks Gary and Martin Kemp, never really managed to capture any atmosphere of authenticity or sense of gritty realism. Given that the Kemp brothers were more famous for hammering out 1980’s power pop in Spandau Ballet, than playing legendary London villains, it’s not surprising.

Anyone who has seen Tom Hardy’s star turn as psychotic Jewish gangster Alfie Solomons in Peaky Blinders, will know the thuggish thespian is more than capable of giving a more than convincing turn as not just one but two Kray villains.

For Hardy fans, Legend is a double whammy. And for those interested in the Krays it’s also good news, because the film directed by Brian Helgeland (L.A Confidential, Mystic River) is based on the definitive book on the twins, John Pearson’s The Profession Of Violence: The Rise And Fall Of The Kray Twins.

Backing Hardy in his star turn is the equally impressive Christopher Eccleston, who plays tenacious cop Leonard “Nipper” Read, the Detective Chief Superintendent responsible for taking down the Kray twins in the 1960s.

Emily Browning plays Francis Shea, Reggie’s wife, and supporting actors include Colin Morgan, Paul Bettany, David Thewlis and Kingsman‘s Taron Egerton.

The trailer for Legend hints that the violence will be sprinkled with a liberal dose of black humour.

In the released clip Hardy seemingly relishes the contrast of Ronnie Kray’s more violent, psychopathic, and slightly unhinged personality and the more sensible, restrained, and civilized front that Reggie liked to put on for a watching world.

Legend will be released in cinemas on September 9.

[Images Via Daily Mail]