Vinnie Jones slips into character as a real life doorman before throwing himself into street brawl

Vinnie Jones slips into character as a real life Essex doorman before throwing himself into violent street brawl on the set of forthcoming gangster biopic

Vinnie Jones proved old habits die hard on Monday as he adopted the non-nonsense persona that characterized his earlier film work on the set of a new movie. 

The former footballer – who earned a fearsome reputation during his playing career – plays real life club doorman Bernard O’Mahoney in forthcoming British gangster biopic Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins. 

And he appeared to have fully embraced his latest character as filming commenced on a chilly evening in London, where a mock-up of the now defunct Basildon nightclub Raquels had been recreated. 

Here we go: Vinnie Jones proved old habits die hard on Monday as he adopted the non-nonsense persona that characterized his earlier film work on the set of new movie Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins

Jones, 55, was clearly in high spirits as he rubbed shoulders with 60-year old O’Mahoney, a former soldier who once managed security at Raquels and has since written a string of books inspired by his colourful life. 

But it was back to the task at hand as cameras rolled on a heated exchange between Jones and a trench coat clad youth whose appearance suggested the film is based at an unspecified point in the 1990s. 

With a cast of extras surrounding them, the pair appeared to be engaged in a stand-off as the imposing figure of Jones barred his entrance to the once popular club.

Here we go: The actor was filmed engaging in a a ruckus with a group of loutish men as they jostle on the narrow pavement

Here we go: The actor was filmed engaging in a a ruckus with a group of loutish men as they jostle on the narrow pavement

Don't mess: Jones surges into the fray as his expression twists into an intimidating snarl

Don’t mess: Jones surges into the fray as his expression twists into an intimidating snarl

Eyeball to eyeball: Cameras also rolled on a heated exchange between Jones and a trench coat clad youth whose appearance suggested the film is based at an unspecified point in the 1990s

Eyeball to eyeball: Cameras also rolled on a heated exchange between Jones and a trench coat clad youth whose appearance suggested the film is based at an unspecified point in the 1990s

In separate scenes a ruckus appears to breakout between Jones – whose expression twists into an intimidating snarl – and a group of loutish men as they jostle on the narrow pavement. 

At one point Jones was seen brandishing an imitation sawn-off shotgun, strategically concealed beneath an item of clothing, as he warded off any potential troublemakers.    

While this the first Footsoldier movie to feature Jones, it is the fifth in a mixed run that began with the 2007 release Rise of The Footsoldier, a film based on the notorious Rettendon Murders of December 6th, 1995. 

The case gained national attention after the dead bodies of drug dealers Tony Tucker, Patrick Tate, and Craig Rolfe were found in their parked Range Rover on a farm track in rural Essex. Each had been shot and killed at point blank range.  

No problem here: The younger man was seen raising his hands as Jones appeared to square up

No problem here: The younger man was seen raising his hands as Jones appeared to square up

Getting involved: A crowd of party goers gathered as the pair clashed outside a recreation of former Essex nightclub Raquels

Getting involved: A crowd of party goers gathered as the pair clashed outside a recreation of former Essex nightclub Raquels 

The incident has since been the subject of numerous books and films, with the latest understood to be a dramatization of Tucker’s movements in the years prior to his violent death.

A published synopsis for the forthcoming film reads: ‘Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins is the ultimate Tony Tucker Story our fans have been asking for.

‘Spanning across a decade, it’ll tell the origin story of how Tucker, Rolfie, and Pat Tate unite to form their own firm, and satisfy our fans by tackling many of the franchise’s previously unanswered questions.’

Directed by Nick Nevern – whose previous work includes The Hooligan Factory – Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins will be released by UK by Signature Entertainment in 2021.

Don't move: The barrel of what appeared to be a sawn-off shotgun was visible as Jones saw off his enemy

Don’t move: The barrel of what appeared to be a sawn-off shotgun was visible as Jones saw off his enemy 

Banter: The actor was in an upbeat mood as he joked around with the imitation shotgun clutched in his hands

Banter: The actor was in an upbeat mood as he joked around with the imitation shotgun clutched in his hands

Banter: The actor was in an upbeat mood as he joked around with the imitation shotgun clutched in his hands

Stop right there! Jones appeared to be point the gun at a stationary car while barking orders

Stop right there! Jones appeared to be point the gun at a stationary car while barking orders 

Main man: The actor posed for photos with real life doorman Bernard O Mahoney, the man he plays in the new film

Main man: The actor posed for photos with real life doorman Bernard O Mahoney, the man he plays in the new film 

Leave a Comment