Deadline has learned that Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are set to play (respectively) Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in a biopic about the iconic comic duo titled STAN & OLLIE. Have I got your attention yet? If not, you should know that Jon Baird (FILTH, CASS) will direct the film, and that the script for the planned movie comes from PHILOMENA scribe Jeff Pope.
STAN & OLLIE will reportedly "focus on the now-legendary 1953 tour embarked on by the aging duo. Once the world’s favorite comedy double act, but now diminished by age and their golden era a distant memory, Laurel & Hardy set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953. As they set out, crisscrossing the country, attendances are disappointingly low. But they’ve always been able to make each other laugh and as the charm and beauty of their performances shines through their audiences laugh too, and they re-connect with legions of adoring fans, old and new."
In a statement, Baird said, "Like so many others I grew up watching Laurel & Hardy and I’m therefore honored to help bring this incredible true story of love, laughter and friendship to the big screen," while Pope described Laurel and Hardy as his heroes. Pope also said, "I am aware of the huge responsibility of bringing their characters to life, but I have not treated the boys with kid gloves or looked at them through rose colored specs."
There's no word on when filming is expected to kick off for STAN & OLLIE or when it will be in theaters, but it will probably open sometime in 2017.
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