The first picture from The Nice Guys, starting Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe, has been released.

The film, directed by Shane Black, is set in 1970s and private eye Holland March (Gosling) and hired enforcer Jackson Healy (Crowe).

They’re described as two “working-class dudes”, who are forced to work together to solve the case of a missing girl and death of a porn star – an investigation that uncovers a surprising conspiracy with major ramifications for those in the highest positions of power.

The supporting cast includes Matt Bomer and Kim Basinger.

It sounds rather like Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which starred Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr.

In fact, Black himself admits it has a similar tone and is a “spiritual sequel” to the 2005 film.

“It is an R-rated film and it’s a caper,” says Black. “It’s a little fast, a little funny and a little rough in places, kind of coarse. These guys are working-class dudes, they’re not really sophisticated private detectives, so it’s a chance to do the kind of thriller I don’t see too much of anymore.”

The Nice Guys will be released in 2016.