5 Crazy Ways Tom Hardy Got Into Character For Famous Roles

4. He Meet With A Former Hit-Man & Took Two Hours To Swap Between Roles - Legend

Tom Hardy doesn't just sign up for a film project without doing the proper research. And use of the words "proper research" is no understatement, people, a point proven when you realise that the actor sought advice from a real life hit-man - that is, former Krays hit-man Freddie Foreman - in order to nail his dual characters' trademark attributes. Foreman, now 82-years-old, had a number of secret meetings with Hardy in preparation for Legend, in which the actor plays both Ronnie and Reggie Kray, twin gangsters who ruled the criminal underworld in London in the 1960s. Foreman, a convicted criminal, was involved with body disposal and the infamous Security Express train robbery in 1983. Here's what Foreman said of the meetings (and of Hardy):

"I helped him get into character. Reggie always had a quizzical look on his face and he had to get that right. He used to be suspicious of everything and was looking around all the time. I sat down with Tom and helped him out as he needed some pointers. And he nailed him off to a tee. I told him 'It is scary here talking to you, it is scary.' It was like being with Ronnie. I told him 'You have f*****g nailed this: you are f*****g Ronnie Kray.'"

And that's someone talking from hands-on experience. Not only did the actor employ that method in order to ensure his role felt authentic, but Hardy spent two hours at a time swapping between the two characters in order to ensure they're aesthetic differences were felt on camera. Ronnie's widow's peak hairline, for example, broken nose and heavier build - and Hardy was adamant he got it all perfect.