ampersands

Coogan and Reilly Will Play Laurel and Hardy in Stan & Ollie, Bringing You Two Biopics for the Price of One

Wrong hat, John. Photo: Getty Images

Cue up “The Dance of Cuckoos,” stock up on tiny bowler hats, and look back in melancholy on a different comedic era — that’s right, we’re getting a Laurel and Hardy biopic. Deadline reports that comedically dissimilar British and American duo Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly have signed on to play the comedically dissimilar British and American duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in Stan & Ollie. The film will take place during the pair’s 1953 tour, when they performed in variety halls across Britain in an attempt to revive flagging interest in their brand of comedy — think The Trip, but with the Michael Caine impressions replaced with pie-throwingStan & Ollie’s script comes from Philomena’s Jeff Pope, and it’ll be directed by Jon S. Baird (Vinyl, Filth). The film has an ampersand in its title, which definitely means it’s looking for awards.

Coogan and Reilly Will Be Laurel and Hardy