Watch: First trailer for Dallas Buyers Club starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto

Based on a true story, the film follows a Texan electrician who is diagnosed with HIV and begins smuggling alternative preventative drugs into the US

Matthew McConaughey: The pair are great friends so he’d have the inside scoop on what makes him tick. They’re often seen jogging together... topless. Lads. 5-1 (Reuters)

The first trailer for Dallas Buyers Club starring Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner has been released.

Set in the 1980s, McConaughey plays Texan electrician Ron Woodroof who is diagnosed as HIV positive.

After being refused a specific drug by his doctor, played by Jennifer Garner, he travels to Mexico and begins smuggling pharmaceuticals into the US.

With the help of transsexual woman Rayon, played by Jared Leto, he establishes a ‘buyers’ club’ which fellow HIV-positive patients can join to access supplies.

McConaughey, who is barely recognisable in the trailer having lost 22kg for the role, is already being tipped for an Oscar for his performance.

Leto is said to have shed as much as 13kg to play transsexual Rayon, who is also battling with HIV.

The film is directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, and written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack.

Dallas Buyers Club is set to premiere at next month’s Toronto International Festival and is due to be released in the UK on 7 February 2014- just in time for the Oscars.