From Tom Hardy to Forest Whitaker: Why are so many Hollywood actors turning up in Wales?

010921 Wales Celeb Pic
What has brought all these famous actors to Wales?

Tom Hardy, Forest Whitaker, Luis Guzman and Lin-Manuel Miranda have all been pictured in Wales in recent weeks but what's brought these Hollywood megastars here?

Revenant star Tom Hardy surprised locals when he was first spotted in Barry Island - where he spent the weekend in the fairground, much to the amazement of visitors.

Tom Hardy was happy to be pictured with fans when he visited Barry Island with his family.

A picture of the star was shared on the Barry Island Pleasure Park Facebook page with the caption: "Thanks to the legend Tom Hardy for visiting us today and loving Barry island as much as we do."

Hardy next sent Welsh social media into meltdown when he was pictured posing alongside police officers and with fans in a Cardiff supermarket.

Posting to the South Wales Police Cardiff Twitter account, they said: "Ely NPT picking up a spot of lunch and guess who we bump in to."

Tom Hardy was spotted in a Tesco supermarket in Cardiff

The actor was later seen in M&S Culverhouse Cross, where he stopped for a selfie with the staff from the store.

Hardy has been in Wales filming his latest project in Cardiff - a movie called Havoc.

The plot follows a drug deal gone wrong and a detective who has to battle his way through the criminal underworld to rescue the estranged son of a leading politician.

The movie Havoc is being filmed by Aberdare director Gareth Evans Credit: PA Images

The film is being directed by Gareth Evans, the Aberdare filmmaker behind the acclaimed martial arts thrillers The Raid and Raid 2, the Michael Sheen horror Apostle and, most recently, Sky Atlantic's Gangs of London.

The Star Wars and Black Panther actor has been visiting Tenby and Penarth. Credit: Forest Whitaker

The Netflix production also explains the latest celebrity appearance of Oscar winner Forest Whitaker.

The Star Wars and Black Panther actor is staring alongside Hardy in the movie and has been using his off time to enjoy "beautiful Wales."

He posted pictures of himself on social media standing in front of Tenby's St Catherine's Island and Penarth Pier, and he also visited Tredegar House in Newport.

Luis Guzmán posted a picture of himself and Lin-Manuel Miranda in a Cardiff coffee shop. Credit: Luis Guzmán

Lin-Manuel Miranda has also been spotted back in Wales - his third visit in recent years.

The Hamilton star first came to Wales to film the BBC series His Dark Materials.

He described his visit as a "joy" and kept fans informed of his travels on his social media pages.

His latest visit saw him at a Cardiff restaurant alongside fellow actor Luis Guzmán.

He posted a picture on his Instagram account and wrote: "Two Boricua’s just chillin in Cardiff… Lin Thank You for You gifted Talent and being Real as Real Hermano."

Guzmán - although perhaps not as well known Hardy, Whitaker and Miranda - stared alongside Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the 2000 thriller Traffic.

He is also known for his roles in Boogie Nights and the US version of Shameless.

Rhiannon Lee captured a a snowy film set in Swansea where Havoc is being filmed Credit: Rhiannon Lee

Guzmán is also in Wales to film scenes for Netflix's Havoc, alongside Hardy and Whitaker.

Two Hollywood stars who people are still waiting to appear in Wales are Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The pair became owners of Wrexham FC earlier this year Credit: PA

In a move worthy of the silver screen itself, the pair became the owners of Wrexham AFC earlier this year and have promised to visit the club in person.

There were rumours the pair could turn up at the side's game against Notts County last week where they won 2-0 but instead raised a toast on social media to celebrate Wrexham's first win of the season.

The pandemic has limited their opportunities to cross the Atlantic but that hasn't stopped them from building an affinity with Wales already.

They have boosted the profile of the town, and Wales, amongst a-listers - with X-Men actor Hugh Jackman talking about Wrexham - so there is no telling who might be the next superstar to be spotted on our shores.