Orlando Bloom’s New Herzog Film ‘Bucking Fastard’ Is Based on Real York Twins Who Spoke in Perfect Unison and Both Fell for the Same Lorry Driver

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REUTERS/Yara Nardi

TV + Movies

By https://thoughtcatalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/max-AsJirOOLN_s-unsplash.jpg?w=48 January Nelson

Updated 1 minute ago, September 3, 2026

Orlando Bloom’s new film premiered Thursday at the Venice Film Festival, with Werner Herzog, Kate Mara and Rooney Mara at the photocall. It’s loosely based on Freda and Greta Chaplin, identical twins from Tang Hall in York who dressed the same, walked in step and spoke in perfect unison.

Orlando Bloom at the Venice photocall for “Bucking Fastard,” Werner Herzog’s competition entry at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, September 3, 2026. Photo by Yara Nardi / Reuters.

Both became infatuated with lorry driver Ken Iveson, and in 1981 their harassment landed them a restraining order and a month in jail.

Orlando Bloom hits the Venice red carpet on September 3, 2026, ahead of the competition screening of “Bucking Fastard” at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Photo by Yara Nardi / Reuters.

The movie’s title comes straight from their court appearance, where they simultaneously misspoke “f-cking bastard” as “bucking fastard.”

Werner Herzog, Orlando Bloom, Rooney Mara, and Kate Mara hit the Venice red carpet on September 3, 2026, ahead of the competition screening of “Bucking Fastard” at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival. Photo by Yara Nardi / Reuters.

Kate and Rooney Mara play the sisters, marking the first time the real-life siblings have appeared on screen together. Bloom plays Gareth Mulroney, the man both women fall for, with an Irish brogue. Domhnall Gleeson rounds out the cast as a social worker trying to help the twins live on their own.

Domhnall Gleeson and Kate Mara step out for the “Bucking Fastard” photocall at the 83rd Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2026. Photo by Stefano Rellandini / AFP via Getty Images.

Herzog had wanted to tell the Chaplins’ story for decades and visited the sisters before their deaths, Greta in 2007 and Freda in 2020. He dedicated the film to David Lynch, and at the press conference said, “We had a deep, deep understanding of each other’s work. I wish we could turn the wheel of time back and invite him tonight.”

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