RadioTimes
Tom Hardy and the actors who doubled up
By Radio Times staff
Friday 1 May 2015 at 02:50PM
As Tom Hardy prepares to play both Kray Twins in new movie Legend, we profile some of the other actors who played twins
Legend
Does Tom Hardy like what he sees when he looks in the mirror? We certainly do, so having him play both Kray Twins in the intimidating new biopic Legend. The film, released this September, charts the rise of Ronnie and Reggie’s criminal empire, and the first trailer has just been released.
Adaptation
Why have one neurotic Nicholas Cage when you can have two? Charlie Kaufman is a screenwriter dealing with the mother of all writer’s blocks. His twin brother Donald ”“ care-free, easy-living Donald ”“ has no such hang-ups, and when he decides to get into the writing game too, can’t work out why his brother’s finding it so hard. Incidentally, the film is written by, you guessed it, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman.
Double Impact / Maximum Risk
Jean Claude van Damme enjoyed playing twins of himself so much he did it twice. In Double Impact, The Muscles from Brussels played twins separated at birth following a Hong Kong gangland hit. Totally coincidentally, both brothers end up setting up martial arts businesses in Los Angeles. What are the odds?
In Maximum Risk, Van Damme plays a cop who attends the funeral of someone who looks exactly like him. Turns out they were long-lost twins, so obviously it now becomes his mission to avenge his brother’s death. Oh, and just for completeness sake, Van Damme also starred in Timecop where he plays a time travelling policeman who meets a younger version of himself. Make that a triple double then.
The Social Network
What is the plural of Winklevoss? Winklevi? Armie Hammer played rowing twins Cameron and Tyler in David Fincher’s film about the creation of Facebook, who take Mark Zuckerberg to court claiming they stole his idea.
The Parent Trap
Lindsay Lohan’s first film performance came as both Hallie Parker and Annie James in the 1998 remake, and, as you probably already know, it’s adorable. Hayley Mills played the twins in the 1961 original.
The Man In the Iron Mask
Leonardo Di Caprio lives a life of decadence as King Louis XIV of France, but a plan is formed to put his secret twin brother Philippe on the throne. Whether romantic lead or power-mad king, there’s always lots to love about Leo.
Big Business
Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin made it double or quits in 1988, each playing a set of identical twins separated at birth who cross wires at the Plaza Hotel in New York. They (sort of) run into each other, while always just missing each other. Spoiler ”“ they do eventually bump into each other. Hilarious.
The Double
Jesse Eisenberg must have enjoyed watching Armie Hammer play the Winklevoss twins so much he tried it himself. In The Double, written by British comedian Richard Ayoade, Simon is driven increasingly mad by his successful, charismatic doppelganger.
The Scapegoat
Matthew Rhys played two characters in ITV’s dramatisation of Daphne Du Maurier’s 1957 novel. Rhys’s performances as both wealthy bounder Johnny Spence and his poor doppelganger John Standing show that even TV dramas are not averse to digital multiplicity.
The Prestige
Thought Christopher Nolan‘s Inception was weird? Try keeping a handle on this one, where Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman don’t play doubles, they play with the whole concept of doppelgangers. The story revolves around two magicians, each trying to outperform the other. We won’t spoil any more than that, but believe us, you’ll be rubbing your eyes come the end.
