HOLLYWOOD hard man Vinnie Jones has been spotted across Southend as he films his latest movie.

Former footballer Vinnie, who has become better known as the go to hard man in Hollywood since retiring from the beautiful game, has arrived in South Essex to film the latest movie in the Rise of the Footsoldier franchise, Origins.

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  • Vinnie Jones meets some police officers. Picture: Instagram @thevinniejones

Film crews have been spotted across Southend, including in Lucy Road, where they've been using some of the old nightclubs as locations for the film.

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  • Vinnie Jones has been filming in Southend. Picture: Instagram @thevinniejones

The film is the fifth instalment in the crime franchise, which is known for its uncompromising depiction of violent gangs.

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  • Vinnie in character on set. Picture: Instagram @thevinniejones

It explores how the notorious Essex Boys first united in the late 1980s.

In Origins Vinnie plays Bernard O’Mahoney, a real-life character associated with one of the three men murdered in the infamous Range Rover killings, Tony Tucker.

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  • Vinnie Jones and the real Bernard O'Mahoney. Picture: Instagram @thevinniejones

Directed by Nick Nevern the film will be released in the UK by Signature Entertainment in 2021.

The likes of Terry Stone, Roland Manookian and Craig Fairbrass are also in the film, reprising their lead roles from the previous instalments in the movie franchise.

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  • The cast on set in Southend. Picture: Instagram @thevinniejones

Vinnie has been staying at the Seven Hotel, in Clifton Terrace, during the shoot.

Jawed Rashid, owner of the hotel, said: "It was an absolute pleasure to have Vinnie Jones staying with us at the Seven Hotel.

"He was very friendly and polite with all of the staff and said that the Seven Hotel was the best place in Southend to stay.

"He also said that he would love to come back and stay with us in the future.

"We are really looking forward to seeing his film once it is released."

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  • Vinnie Jones has been staying at Southend's Seven Hotel. Picture: Seven Hotel.

He shot to fame during the late 80s as a tough tackling midfielder in Wimbledon's famous "Crazy Gang" side.

Making more than 400 appearance across his career, he also captained the Welsh national side.

After leaving football he took up acting.

He is perhaps best-known for his work with director Guy Ritchie, including the films Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but has also starred in the X-Men film franchise.