British actor Tom Hardy will star as both of the infamous Kray twins in his new upcoming gangster movie, Legend.
Hardy is one of the fastest-rising stars in filmdom, but this latest challenge will likely be his biggest, as he delves into the underworld of Swinging Sixties London to portray the notorious East-End gangsters.
Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who penned the Oscar-winning script for LA Confidential, the script focuses on the Krays’ efforts to turn London into the “Las Vegas of Europe”, while police superintendent Nipper Read – played by Christopher Eccleston – tries to make sure this doesn’t happen.
It’s rare for film critics to start gushing with praise on the strength of a trailer alone, but then Tom Hardy is no ordinary actor. In a new two-and-a-half minute clip, he shows the different sides of the criminal bosses, from brutal thugs to loyal siblings.
The trailer starts with Ronald Kray looking for a “proper shoot-out” with a rival gang, but he’s disappointed when he finds his opponents have only brought iron bars to the rally.
We’re quickly introduced to the twins’ world of money and violence – as well as the brutal enforcers with which they surrounded themselves.
Hinting that there will be as much humor as violence in the film, the trailer gives a further glimpse into how the talent actor portrays the famous twins.
The film appears to place a large focus on the difficulties Reggie faced in regards to Ronald’s more unhinged ways.
Emily Browning plays Reggie’s wife Frances, as she questions her husband’s gangster lifestyle and unflinching love for his brother and supporting actors include Colin Morgan, Paul Bettany, David Thewlis and Kingsman‘s Taron Egerton.
Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, who starred as Reggie in the Nineties biopic of The Krays, recently gave Hardy support for the role.
“I think Tom’s a great actor, if anyone can do it he can do it really well,” he said. “I’m not a fan ever of one actor doing two different parts, but if anyone can pull it off, he can.”
Legend will be released in cinemas on September 9.
