Coogan's next movie role

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are to star in a  movie version of the classic 18th century tale The Life And Opinions Of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman.

Coogan will take the title role, while Marion and Geoff star Brydon will play his uncle Toby, a former Army captain whose hobby is reenacting famous sieges.

The original series of books, by Laurence Sterne, are famous for their groundbreaking writing style: taking huge diversions in what purported to be a straightforward biography and exposing the author’s thought processes through a chatty commentary.

Michael Winterbottom, who made 24-Hour Party People with Coogan, will direct this version.

Brydon's manager Paul Duddridge told The Western Mail: "It's quite a departure from Keith Barret. Rob's basically playing a curmudgeonly old man.

"He's very excited about the role - it's a big British film and basically a two-hander with him and Steve Coogan. It's the sort of opportunity he couldn't turn down and the chance to work with Steve is fantastic.

“Rob and Steve are playing their characters but then it changes and they play themselves chatting in make-up."

The two-month shoot starts in Norfolk next month, once Brydon has returned from his one-man show as former minicab driver Barret at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Published: 23 Aug 2004