First Look: Tom Hardy Plays Kray Twins In ‘Legend’

A sneak peak of Tom Hardy playing both of London’s notorious gangsters Ronald “Ronnie” Kray and Reginald “Reggie” Kray has been released.

Oscar winner Brian Helgeland’s forthcoming biopic titled Legend will chronicle the rise and fall of the twin brothers in the 1950s and 1960s.

In April, when Hardy was confirmed he would be taking on both roles, he stated, “I’ve got to work out how to play both twins, which will be fun.”

The 36-year-old actor continued, “It’s another experiment and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself, I just want to have some fun and see what’s out there and explore with the work.”

Hardy successfully defined each character. On the left side of the newly released image he can be shown wearing glasses and a three-piece suit depicting Ronnie, and on the right as Reggie smoking a cigarette.

Ronnie (right) and Reggie Kray

The film is based on John Pearson’s book The Profession of Violence. Ronnie and Reggie were infamous for their association running organized crime rackets in London’s East End. In 1969, both were sentenced to life in prison for the murders of fellow gangsters George Cornell and Jack ‘The Hat’ McVitie.

In 1995, Ronnie died of a heart attack while in prison. Five years later in 2000, Reggie died of cancer eight week after he was granted release on compassionate grounds because of his illness.

British stars Christopher Eccleston and David Thewlis, Australian actress Emily Browning and A Bronx Tale‘s Chazz Palminteri are all confirmed to star in the upcoming biopic as well.

The crime thriller, Legend, is expected to be released in late 2015.