Stan & Ollie: First look poster for Steve Coogan and John C Reilly's Laurel and Hardy biopic

Entertainment One UK has today released the first poster for Stan & Ollie, its forthcoming Laurel and Hardy biopic starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly.

The new film, which is coming to cinemas in January, 2019, sees the iconic comedy double act in their twilight years as they embark on a theatre tour of Great Britain. After becoming Hollywood stars in the silent era and enduring the switch to talkies, the duo toured Britain in 1953, performing in variety halls across the UK and Ireland on a “farewell tour”.

Hardy died in 1957, and Laurel in 1965.

The poster, which riffs of the comics’ trademark bowler hats, is below.

Coogan plays native brit Stan Laurel, while Reilly is Oliver Hardy. Nina Arianda and Shirley Henderson play their wives Lucille and Ida, who themselves made quite the double act themselves.

Here’s the synopsis:

The true story of Hollywood’s greatest comedy double act, Laurel and Hardy, is brought to the big screen for the first time. Starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as the inimitable movie icons, Stan & Ollie is the heart-warming story of what would become the pair’s triumphant farewell tour.

With their golden era long behind them, the pair embark on a variety hall tour of Britain and Ireland. Despite the pressures of a hectic schedule, and with the support of their wives Lucille (Shirley Henderson) and Ida (Nina Arianda) – a formidable double act in their own right – the pair’s love of performing, as well as for each other, endures as they secure their place in the hearts of their adoring public.

There’s no trailer for Stan & Ollie yet, but having seen some footage from the film at a preview event earlier this year, we can tell you that both actors nail their performances and look uncannily like their silver-screen counterparts.

Read more
Do Sacha Baron Cohen’s victims deserve sympathy?
Time Bandits TV series in development
Carrie Fisher returning in Star Wars IX