Shooting Begins on Stan & Ollie Movie

Stan and Ollie
A Fable Pictures and Sonesta Films production, developed with BBC Films.
A gripping story of the world renowned comedy duo Laurel & Hardy as they embark on their final UK tour in 1953.

Writer Jeff Pope
Director Jon S Baird
Producer Faye Ward



A London theatre was the set today for the first day of shooting on an original film based on one of the worlds most loved comedy duos and geniuses of their time - Laurel and Hardy. Inspired by actual events, Stan and Ollie, is an emotional tribute to two of the funniest men in movie history. 
Steve Coogan is playing  Stan Laurel and John C Reilly is playing Oliver Hardy.

Director Jon S Baird said, "After the years of hard work the big day finally arrived and it got off to a flying start. Steve and John are doing Stan and Ollie so proud and I'm delighted at how serious everyone in the crew is taking this tremendous responsibility."

Writer Jeff Pope posted a teaser photo on twitter and said "The day has finally arrived. Filming has begun!. After imagining it for so many years, finally I walked on set and there they were, Stan and Ollie. Steve Coogan and John C Reilly looked incredible, their make up was amazing. But when they spoke their first lines it was the love they clearly felt for their characters that shone through. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are my heroes. When I watch their movies, 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 their characters to life, but I have not treated the boys with kid gloves or looked at them through rose coloured 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."

A couple of familiar props can be seen in the rehearsal room


Stan and Ollie celebrates the duo’s unique friendship and legendary working partnership. Shooting is expected to continue throughout Spring with a worldwide cinema release expected in 2019.


Article by Ross Owen