Robert Pattinson finds himself on the other side of the lens, when he portrays a photographer in Life.

The stylish trailer for the period drama, which stars Dane DeHaan as Hollywood heartthrob James Dean, has been released.

Directed by Anton Corbijn, Life sees Robert’s character Dennis Stock striking up a friendship with James, then an up-and-coming actor.

Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan
Robert Pattinson and Dane DeHaan (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

The pair became unlikely friends as Dennis accompanied the Rebel Without A Cause star to Los Angeles, New York and his hometown of Indiana, taking black-and-white photographs of him that would outlive his short life.

James died in a car crash, aged 24, in September 1955. He became the first actor to receive a posthumous Oscar nomination for best actor.

The film, which also stars Sir Ben Kingsley, premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

Life opens in UK cinemas on September 25.