‘Lovesick’ star Johnny Flynn has been revealed to be the actor playing the iconic David Bowie in an upcoming biopic, titled Stardust. The film however already been doused in controversy as Bowie’s son, and movie director, Duncan Jones criticised the project. Saying it had not received the blessing of his family, and will that it will not contain any of his late father’s music.
Young David Bowie Movie Will Tell the Origin Story of Ziggy Stardust, Johnny Flynn to Star https://t.co/tWj4CG1ih9 pic.twitter.com/clOm1jCxap
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) January 31, 2019
Stardust, directed by Gabriel Range, will focus on Bowie’s first trip to America, in 1971. This trip was supposedly the influence behind the creation of Bowie’s alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.The film’s script is to be written by Christopher Bell. Jena Malone and Marc Maron will star alongside Flynn in the project, as Angie Bowie and an as yet unnamed publicist respectively. In a press release Paul Van Carter of Salon Pictures said “Johnny Flynn is one of the UK’s most talented emerging actors, and a musician in his own right”.
He’s a singer-songwriter and an actor who has portrayed Albert Einstein on TV, so maybe he was the logical choice all along to play a musical genius. #Bowie #Stardust https://t.co/XMc39BCCIW
— Comedy 103.1 (@Comedy1031) February 1, 2019
Initial reports had indicated that Stardust would feature a selection of Bowie’s music. Only hours after this news was revealed however Duncan Jones, David’s oldest child, quickly threw doubt upon this claiming no musical rights had been given for any films about his father. Jones then continued to say that although he would not prevent the film from happening, it is currently not due to feature any of his father’s music. Jones also questioned whether an audience would really want to see a biopic that the family disapproved of.
I think this journalist needs to do some investigative reporting. Pretty certain nobody has been granted music rights for ANY biopic… I would know. — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 31, 2019
Im not saying this movie is not happening. I honestly wouldn’t know. Im saying that as it stands, this movie won’t have any of dads music in it, & I can’t imagine that changing. If you want to see a biopic without his music or the families blessing, thats up to the audience. — Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 31, 2019
To further complicate matters in a phone call to entertainment weekly this morning Van Carter explained that “We’re not using any Bowie music” and “We always knew that we weren’t going to”.He also explained that the studio did reach out to the Bowie estate, but “We were told there wouldn’t be approval from the estate… the estate doesn’t [typically] license Bowie’s music.”
Filming for Stardust is due to begin in the summer, however a formal release date is yet to be confirmed. But with future challenges and inevitable controversy it is unknown when we will be able to see the production, or if we will even want to at all.
I keep reading about this Bowie biopic. I like Johnny Flynn, he’s really talented, but he’s not Bowie. Nobody is Bowie. I don’t think they should do this because it doesn’t have Duncan Jones and the rest of the family giving their blessing, it won’t be allowed to use the music — Darren Williams (@GurneySlade) February 1, 2019
