A north-east film-maker has unveiled the trailer for his new movie, Stan and Ollie, which chronicles the life of world-famous comedians Laurel and Hardy.
Peterhead’s Jon S Baird, who previously directed the award-winning movie Filth, has been working on this new project for several years and it will have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival next month.
And he greeted the first sighting of the film by saying: “Here’s another nice trailer that you’ve got me into!”
It stars Steve Coogan – of Alan Partridge fame – and John C Reilly as the comedy duo whose slapstick antics, pratfalls and classic one-liners made them Tinseltown darlings in the 1920s and 1930s.
The film tells the story of the duo’s journey around the UK and Ireland during their farewell tour in the 1950s, following the decline of their glittering screen career.
It will gain its first screening during the closing night gala on October 21, prior to being shown in cinemas in the New Year.
Looking forward to showing everyone the #StanAndOllie trailer today at 12pm UK time! pic.twitter.com/rZ5bgXeJoZ
— Jon S. Baird (@jonsbaird) September 18, 2018
Mr Baird told The Press and Journal: “I’m thrilled to be able to have the world premiere in a city that I hold so close and one that I know Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy did too.
“I am also really excited about showing it to the people of the north east when it is released in January as they have supported me incredibly from the start of my career.
“Stan And Ollie, at its heart, is a love story between old friends, who just happen to be two of the most iconic comedic characters in Hollywood’s history.“
The premiere will take place at Cineworld in Leicester Square and be attended by Coogan and Reilly, along with other cast members.
We're hitting the bowler hat theme hard for Steve Coogan and John C Reilly's Laurel & Hardy biopic #StanAndOllie. Keep an eye out for the first trailer at 12pm pic.twitter.com/IG5ArEtHof
— Digital Spy Film (@digitalspyfilm) September 18, 2018
It brings to fruition a long-cherished ambition of Mr Baird to chart the highs and lows of the mercurial pair.
He added: “It’s a fascinating story, one I never knew until I started looking into it.
“Stan always played this slightly simple-minded person in the films. But, off screen, he was one of the shrewdest people you could imagine.
“And, when you look at some of the work they did together, it was extraordinary.
Filmography
Jon S Baird has worked as a director, producer and associate producer on a number of projects in film and television.
The critically acclaimed 2013 film Filth, is highly regarded as one of Baird’s best works to date. Based on Irvine Welsh’s same titles novel, the movie tells the story of Detective Sergeant Bruce Robertson and his struggle with drugs, alcohol, abusive sexual relationships in Edinburgh.
Other works include Elijah Wood starred drama film Green Street, that depicts football hooliganism in England.