BBC Films is moving forward with abiopicon comedy legends Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, with actorsSteve CooganandJohn C. Reillysigning on to play the title characters inStan and Ollie.Screen Dailyreports thatSteve Cooganis playing Stan Laurel, andJohn C. Reillyis portraying Oliver Hardy in this movie, which centers on the comedy duo’s final U.K. tour in 1953. Here’s a description of the plot fromScreen Daily.
“Diminished by age and with their golden era as the kings ofHollywood comedynow behind them, they face an uncertain future. 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. The tour becomes a hit, but Laurel & Hardy can’t quite shake the spectre ofStan and Ollie’s past; and long buried ghosts, coupled with Oliver’s failing health, start to threaten their precious partnership. A portrait of their creative marriage begins to unfold as the duo, aware that they may be approaching their swan song, try to rediscover just how much they mean to each other.”
Jon S. Baird(Filth) is directing from a screenplay by Jeff Pope (Philomena). Christine Langan and Nichola Martin will executive prodcue for BBC Films, alongside Jeff Pope for Sonesta Films and Gabrielle Tana. Here’s what writer-executive producer Jeff Pope had to say about the project in a statement.
“When I watch theirmovies, in my head it is forever a Saturday morning and I am six years old watching the TV at home utterly spellbound. I am aware of the huge responsibility of bringing theircharactersto life, but I have not treated the boys with kid gloves or looked at them through rose colored specs. They are living and breathing characters, with flaws and shortcomings. The research into this story threw up so many details and facts that I had no idea about. But everything I have done has come from a place of love and more than anything else I hope this shines through.”
There is no word yet on when production may begin onStan and Ollie, or how many other characters still need to be cast. BBC Films has not issued arelease datefor this biopic. Do you thinkSteve CooganandJohn C. Reillyare the right actors to portray Laurel & Hardy? Chime in with your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more details.
