Stan & Ollie trailer: first look at Steven Coogan and John C. Reilly as Laurel and Hardy in biopic

Directed by Jon S Baird and written by Jeff Pope

The first trailer for Stan & Ollie has finally landed.

Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly portray the legendary duo, Laurel and Hardy, as they embark on their famously difficult final tour.

Jon S. Baird – who previously worked on the HBO series Vinyl – has directed the biopic, with Jeff Pope having penned the screenplay. Pope was previously Oscar-nominated for the screenplay for 2013’s Philomena, which starred Coogan alongside Judi Dench.

Stan & Ollie will focus primarily on Laurel and Hardy as the venture out on a variety hall tour of Britain, their golden era long behind them. Although they have the support of their wives, Lucille (Shirley Henderson) and Ida (Nina Arianda), their relationships are strained by the pressures of a hectic schedule.

Pope has previously said he was keen to capture the “flaws and shortcomings” of the duo, adding: “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-coloured specs.”

Laurel and Hardy, full names Stan Laurel and Ollie Hardy, were featured in over 100 movies between 1921 and 1951, eventually leaving behind the big screen for the stage.

Stan & Ollie reaches UK cinemas 11 January.