DOUBLE BILL: THE ACTORS WHO HAVE PLAYED MORE THAN ONE ROLE IN A FILM
▶ As Seth Rogen becomes the latest star to perform alongside himself, Samia Badih look at other examples
Mark Ruffalo I Know This Much is True 2020
Based on the 1998 best-selling novel by Wally Lamb, adapted and directed by Derek Cianfrance, this HBO miniseries follows the parallel lives of identical twin brothers, one of whom is schizophrenic. It is a remarkable performance by American actor Mark Ruffalo.
Paul Rudd Living With Yourself 2019
In this Netflix Original comedy series, Paul Rudd plays Miles Elliott, a man struggling in life. After undergoing a spa treatment, he finds out that he has been replaced by another, better version of himself. The role earned Rudd his first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a comedy series.
Will Smith Gemini Man 2019
Thanks to the latest technology in filmmaking, Will Smith plays himself and his 23-yearold clone. This Ang Lee science-fiction thriller tells the story of a 50-year-old assassin who finds himself being chased by someone who is able to predict his every move. It turns out this person is his clone, and Smith sets out to find out where this alter ego came from.
Tom Hardy Legend 2015
In Legend, Tom Hardy plays twin brothers Reggie and Ronnie Kray, the infamous 1960s English gangsters. Hardy received numerous awards and nominations for his performance, including Best Actor at the Toronto Film Critics Association and Best British Actor of the Year at the London Film Critics’ Circle in 2016.
Jake Gyllenhaal Enemy 2013
In this psychological thriller, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a college professor named Adam who realises that he looks exactly like a famous movie star. Adam tracks him down and starts to secretly live his life. The Canadian-Spanish production was named Best Canadian Film at the Toronto Film Critics Association awards in 2014.
Jesse Eisenberg The Double 2013
Based on the 1846 novella The
Double by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, this black comedy thriller tells the story of an office employee challenged by the arrival of a new colleague, who happens to look like his double. Both roles are played by Eisenberg. The film was screened at the Sundance Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival.
Sam Rockwell Moon 2009
This science fiction film follows the story of an astronaut named Sam, played by Sam Rockwell, who two weeks before his scheduled return to Earth after a three-year-period working at a lunar station, starts to suffer from hallucinations and has an accident. This leads to his discovery of a double, of course, also played by Rockwell.
Hugh Jackman The Prestige 2006
In Christopher Nolan’s masterful The Prestige, Hugh Jackman plays a magician named Robert Angier, who at one point in the film uses a double to perform a trick called new transported man. The Prestige won Nolan Best Director at the SFX Awards.
Nicolas Cage Adaptation 2002
This comedy drama stars
Nicolas Cage as writer Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin brother Donald. Kaufman is a screenwriter who is struggling to adapt a book by Susan Orlean, played by Meryl Streep. The film is directed by Spike Jonze, who is also behind Being John Malkovich, the next film on our list.
John Malkovich Being John Malkovich 1999
In this comedy fantasy film, John Cusack plays a puppet master who discovers that a door in his office leads into the mind of Hollywood actor John Malkovich, who plays himself in the film. In one scene, Malkovich sees every other person as himself.
Leonardo DiCaprio The Man in the Iron Mask 1998
One of Leonardo DiCaprio’s earlier films, The Man in the
Iron Mask tells the story of the four musketeers. The swashbuckling heroes devise a plan to replace the hated King Louis XIV with his twin brother, who has been imprisoned for six years with an iron mask covering his face. DiCaprio plays the king and his twin brother.
Jean-Claude Van Damme Double Impact 1991
In this Jean-Claude Van Damme action film, the actor plays identical twin brothers who are separated at birth when their parents are killed. They are reunited after 25 years and plan revenge on the people responsible for their family’s murder.
Eddie Murphy Coming to America 1988
In this romantic comedy, Eddie Murphy plays a rich African prince who goes to New York looking for a wife. Murphy has played double roles in many of his films, including the sci-fi slapstick Professor. The Nutty
However, in this one, Murphy plays Prince Akeem as well as many of the smaller characters that the prince meets along the way. to America 2 Coming
is expected to release later this year.