The David Bowie biopic is scheduled to begin shooting later this year.
It was inevitable, really. Ever since the passing of one of music's biggest influences, we're surprised its taken this long for a David Bowie biopic to be announced.
According to Collider, 'Stardust' is set to be the title of the film; and actor-turned-musician Johnny Flynn has already been cast in the lead role. Flynn's biggest role to date is in indie crime drama 'Beast,' starring opposite our own Jessie Buckley. Jena Malone, who you'll know from 'The Hunger Games' movies and 'The Neon Demon' has been cast as Bowie's first wife, Angie.
Production on the David Bowie biopic is said to begin in June, and Emmy Award-winning director Gabriel Range will direct. However, there may be some issues to iron out first.
Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie, has spoken out on Twitter to say that he nor his family have green-lit the Flynn-led project. Jones, who directed 'Moon' and 'Source Code' says that he would rather an animation of his late father be made instead.
First, Jones said he was "Pretty certain nobody has been granted music rights for ANY biopic... I would know."
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
The director then went on to discuss writer Neil Gaiman and 'Into the Spider-verse' director Peter Ramsey teaming up for a dream animated project - which would be all kinds of epic. He said:
If @neilhimself wanted to write something using dad's characters, and @pramsey342 and his team wanted to make it as an animated film, I would urge everyone on my end to pay attention and give the pitch serious consideration. ;) https://t.co/WdpuL1o7z7
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 31, 2019
Jones then went on to say that he himself wouldn't be the best fit for the job, as he'd become "too uniquely subjective and personal."
Genuinely, I'm not the right person to make it. My perspective is far too uniquely subjective and personal. If something like this were to happen, I would want artists like you and Neil to do it, & I would stay completely out of the way, cheerleading with all my heart.
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) January 31, 2019
It looks like the David Bowie biopic 'Stardust' have have an uphill battle on its hands. If it does come to fruition, the film is set to follow a young Bowie during 1971, which was his first visit to America, and was a trip that inspired the singer to create his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.
