Legend (2015 film)

Legend
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2015; 11 years ago
Founder	Brian Helgeland
Products	Biographical action movie

Legend is a 2015 biographical action movie, both written and directed by Brian Helgeland, based on John Pearson's book The Profession of Violence: The Rise and Fall of the Kray Twins. This film portrays the criminal exploits of the Kray twins, culminating in their conviction for murder and subsequent life imprisonment in 1969. Tom Hardy undertakes a dual role, portraying both Reggie and Ron Kray.

The ensemble cast features Emily Browning, David Thewlis, and Christopher Eccleston, alongside supporting performances from Colin Morgan, Chazz Palminteri, Paul Bettany, Tara Fitzgerald, Taron Egerton, and singer Duffy.

Produced through an international collaboration between British, French, and American studios, Legend debuted in London on 3 September 2015 and was released across the UK by StudioCanal on 9 September. With a production budget near $25 million, the film earned $43 million worldwide. It received mixed to positive critical responses, with particular praise directed at Tom Hardy’s portrayal of both twins, which garnered him a British Independent Film Award for Best Actor.

Plot

During the 1960s, Reggie Kray, once a professional boxer, rises to prominence within London's criminal underworld. His twin brother Ron, institutionalized for paranoid schizophrenia, is released early due to Reggie’s intimidation tactics. Together, they seize control over much of London’s illicit activities, especially after the incarceration of the Richardson Gang’s leader. Their dominance expands as they forcibly take over a local nightclub through threats and violence.

Reggie marries Frances, who is the sister of his driver. While serving time for a previous offense, Frances extracts a promise from him to abandon his criminal lifestyle; however, he soon breaks this vow. During Reggie’s imprisonment, Ron’s mental instability results in financial setbacks at the nightclub, nearly causing its shutdown. Upon Reggie’s release, the brothers reconcile following a violent altercation.

Their infamy crosses over to the United States when Angelo Bruno of the Philadelphia crime family proposes a partnership representing Meyer Lansky and the American Mafia. They consent to evenly divide profits from London’s underground gambling operations, with the Krays ensuring local protection. Although initially successful, Ron’s paranoia and violent behavior disrupt business, climaxing in his public killing of George Cornell and triggering a Scotland Yard investigation.

Reggie’s marriage deteriorates amid his ongoing criminal involvement; Frances descends into drug abuse and ultimately takes her own life after suffering abuse from Reggie. He is left burdened by remorse.

The twins persist in their illegal endeavors; Ron hires Jack "the Hat" McVitie to assassinate Leslie Payne, their legal manager who turns informant after surviving an attack. In retaliation, Reggie fatally stabs McVitie at a party. Payne’s testimony leads to Ron’s arrest for Cornell’s murder while police seek Reggie for McVitie’s killing.

Both brothers are sentenced to life imprisonment for murder charges. Ron passes away from a heart attack in 1995; Reggie dies from bladder cancer in 2000.

Cast

Paul Bettany makes a cameo appearance as Charlie Richardson, head of the rival South London Richardson Gang.

Development

On 12 October 2013, it was revealed that Brian Helgeland would both write and direct a film centered on Reggie Kray, one half of the infamous Kray twins. The narrative concentrated on Reggie's struggle to control his younger twin's violent and psychopathic behavior.

Helgeland consulted with Kray confidant Freddie Foreman in London to deepen his understanding of the twins' environment. He attended the 2014 Cannes Film Festival alongside Working Title executives Tim Bevan and Chris Clark to showcase preliminary footage of Tom Hardy embodying both twins and to attract potential distributors.

Casting

By 18 April 2014, Helgeland confirmed his dual role as writer and director of the UK-based project, with Tom Hardy cast to portray both brothers. Shortly after, on 23 April, Emily Browning entered negotiations for the lead female part. Hardy demonstrated such dedication to playing Ronnie Kray that he volunteered to perform as Reggie without compensation if he could secure Ronnie’s role.

Filming

Production teams captured scenes across various London locations, including Falmouth Road, St Anne's Limehouse in Limehouse, and the Windmill Walk vicinity near London Waterloo. Additional filming sites comprised Caradoc Street in Greenwich as well as the Cedra Estate on Cazenove Road and Gibson Gardens in Hackney. Principal photography commenced on 12 June 2014.

Release

Funding for Legend came from StudioCanal, which also managed distribution in the UK, France, New Zealand, and Germany while overseeing international sales starting at Cannes. On 30 April 2014, Cross Creek Pictures obtained North American distribution rights from StudioCanal, scheduling a 2015 theatrical launch through Universal Pictures. Distribution deals were also secured across Asia, Africa, and much of Europe. The US release date was postponed from 2 October to 20 November 2015. The film had its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2015 at Roy Thomson Hall.

Marketing

The first official image featuring Tom Hardy as the Kray twins was unveiled on 13 June 2014. A promotional poster attracted attention by cleverly transforming a two-star review from The Guardian into an apparent four-star endorsement by positioning the stars between the twins’ heads.

Home media

In the United Kingdom, Legend became available on DVD and Blu-ray on 25 January 2016, followed by its release in the United States on 1 March 2016.

Box office

Legend earned millions at the UK box office, remaining within the Top 10 for seven consecutive weeks. It accumulated $1.9 million in North America and $13.1 million across other international markets, culminating in a worldwide gross of $43.0 million against a production budget just under $25 million.

Awards and nominations

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External links

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result
2015	British Independent Film Awards	Best Performance by an Actor in a British Independent Film	Tom Hardy	Template:Won
	Detroit Film Critics Society	Best Actor	Tom Hardy	Template:Nom
	Las Vegas Film Critics Society	Best Picture		Template:Nom
	Satellite Awards	Best Actor – Motion Picture	Tom Hardy	Template:Nom
2016	Empire Awards	Best British Film		Template:Nom
	Empire Awards	Best Actor	Tom Hardy	Template:Nom
	Houston Film Critics Society	Best Actor	Tom Hardy	Template:Nom
	London Film Critics' Circle	Actor of the Year	Tom Hardy	Template:Nom
	London Film Critics' Circle	British/Irish Actor of the Year	Tom Hardy	Template:Won
	Saturn Awards	Best International Film		Template:Nom
	Toronto Film Critics Association	Best Actor	Tom Hardy	Template:Won
2017	Apolo Awards	Best Actor	Tom Hardy	Template:Nom