Photos: Stars Michael Caine and Charlie Cox film scenes in Margate for Hatton Garden heist movie

Sir Michael Caine and Charlie Cox in Margate Photo Frank Leppard

Forget Hollywood, Thanet is THE spot for movie stars these days!

The latest film shooting on the isle is a blockbuster starring Michael Caine, Ray Winstone, Jim Broadbent and Michael Gambon.

Photo Frank Leppard

The film – Night in Hatton Garden – is based on the April 2015 Hatton Garden jewel heist carried out by an ageing gang of crooks. It is due to be released in 2018.

Today (June 19) mega star Sir Michael Caine was shooting scenes for the film on the Stone Pier in Margate. By his side was fellow actor Charlie Cox, who plays the Daredevil in the Marvel television series. They were caught in action by Margate photographer Frank Leppard

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Crews for the production have been based up by The Lido.

It’s thought Sir Michael,84, will play lead gang member 76-year-old Brian Reader,who was sentenced to six years and three months in jail on 21 March 2016.

Photo Frank Leppard

The real life gang

On 9 March 2016, at Woolwich Crown Court, three members of the gang, John “Kenny” Collins, Daniel Jones and Terry Perkins, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary and were each given a seven-year prison term.

Carl Wood was jailed for six years and William Lincoln for seven. Hugh Doyle was  jailed for 21 months, suspended for two years. The eighth man, Jon Harbinson, was found not guilty and discharged.

Return trip

Photo Frank Leppard

The veteran actor, who last filmed on the isle for the 2001 film Last Orders with Ray Winstone and Bob Hoskins,  took a break to chat to residents and sign autographs.

Fellow star Ray Winstone is also rumoured to be on the isle and will possibly be involved in the filming tomorrow.

The locations team for the production has been working with Thanet council.

Photo Frank Leppard

Cllr Derek Crow-Brown, Thanet District Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance, said: “Thanet is firmly on the map as a destination for production companies and it’s fantastic to be able to host such a high profile production starring one of the world’s best known actors.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the locations team these last few months and the crew have all loved their sunny Margate experience.

Photo Frank Leppard

The Stone Pier was also the backdrop for a Vogue film shoot earlier this month and crews from Sky Atlantic’s The Tunnel have been filming at locations across Thanet, including Dreamland and Walpole Bay.