EXCLUSIVE: Following their 2018 critically acclaimed hit Stan & Ollie, Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly are reuniting for The Gamers, a comedy primarily based on the rivalry between 1800s thespians Edwin Forrest and William MacCready. Two-time Academy Award nominee Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty) is directing the undertaking from a script penned by Stan & Ollie and Philomena author Jeff Pope. 

The Gamers, which is ready to start manufacturing early subsequent 12 months in Europe, is ready in 1847 New York, the place Edwin Forrest (Reilly) holds the undisputed title because the nation’s high Shakespearian actor. Enjoying magnificently to a offered out, raucous crowd each evening, Edwin is “The Star”. However when critically celebrated English thespian William MacCready (Coogan) arrives from London to carry out his subtle Hamlet, Edwin’s title is thrown into jeopardy. Every man desires what the opposite has, and the rivalry between them begins a hilarious and unforgettable battle of egos.

Protagonist Footage is launching worldwide gross sales on the undertaking forward of AFM, with CAA Media Finance repping U.S. rights. It’s produced by Ben Pugh, Ben Cavey, Tim Cole and Josh Horsfield for 42. Government producers embrace Pope, Coogan, Protagonist Footage’ Dave Bishop, George Hamilton, James Pugh and 42’s Josh Varney. 

Cattaneo, Coogan, Pope and 42 not too long ago collaborated on The Penguin Classes, which had its world premiere on the Toronto Worldwide Movie Competition this 12 months the place it was acquired by Sony Footage Classics. Based mostly on a script by Pope, that movie was produced by 42, directed by Cattaneo and starred Coogan and Jonathan Pryce.

“The multi-talented Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly have reunited for this wildly humorous, larger than life battle of egos,” Bishop stated of The Gamers. “Their chemistry is plain and, with the wit and comedy bursting from each web page of Jeff’s script, and Peter’s suave course behind the digicam, that is set as much as be an amazing crowd pleaser.” 

Coogan is finest identified for creating and portraying British icon media persona Alan Partridge. He additionally co-wrote, produced and starred reverse Dame Judi Dench in Philomena, which earned him a BAFTA award for Finest Tailored Screenplay. Extra not too long ago, he starred in Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux and Despicable Me 4. 

Reilly’s credit vary from comedic roles in movies equivalent to Step Brothers and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy in addition to Gangs of New York, We Want To Discuss About Kevin and The Lobster. His position in biopic Stan & Ollie, which chronicled the later years of famend comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, earned him Golden Globe and Critics’ Alternative Award nominations. 

Cattaneo is finest identified for guiding comedic drama The Full Monty, an enormous international success, incomes 4 BAFTA awards and 4 Oscar nominations. Extra credit embrace Fortunate Break and Army Wives. 

Pope’s script for Philomena, which he co-wrote with Coogan, earned him an Oscar nomination in addition to the BAFTA award for Finest Tailored Screenplay, His script for Stan & Ollie additionally earned him BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations. 

Administration and manufacturing banner 42 has an upcoming slate that features: thriller The Guess for Warner Bros.; Andrew Sodroski’s thriller Off Seasons for Apple TV+; and Rupert Wyatt’s Boxman for Lionsgate. 

Coogan is repped by Impartial Expertise Group and CAA. Reilly is repped by CAA, Framework Leisure and Gendler, Kelly & Cunningham. Cattaneo is repped by 42 and UTA. Pope is repped by United Brokers and WME Leisure.