One notable omission from the smash hit Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody was David Bowie, whom Queen collaborated with on the incredible 1981 song “Under Pressure.” The song does play in the film, but the iconic singer does not appear. But fear not, because a David Bowie biopic is on the way. The film has now found its star in the form of actor Johnny Flynn.
Johnny Flynn will have the difficult task of playing the man behind Ziggy Stardust in Salon Pictures’ David Bowie biopic that is appropriately titled Stardust. The actor is perhaps best known for his work in the Netflix series Lovesick or for playing a young Albert Einstein in NatGeo’s Genius. Johnny Flynn also starred in last year’s dark indie Beast.
In addition to being a screen actor, Johnny Flynn also has stage experience and is currently starring in True West on London’s West End, opposite Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington. Beyond his acting experience, Johnny Flynn also brings musical chops to the role of the legendary singer who passed away in 2016. Flynn is the lead singer and songwriter of the band Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit.
In Stardust, Johnny Flynn will be joining a cast that includes The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’s Jena Malone, as well as comedian Marc Maron, whose acting career has really taken off lately with his role on Netflix’s GLOW and the upcoming Joker. Stardust will be directed by Gabriel Range, whose previous feature work includes I Am Slave and Death of A President. He will direct based on a script from Christopher Bell.
Stardust will chronicle David Bowie’s rise to superstardom and the eventual creation of his Ziggy Stardust persona, starting with his first visit to America in 1971. Principal photography for Stardust is set to begin in June of this year according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Johnny Flynn isn't exactly a household name, so most fans won't see his work until the upcoming biopic is released. Rami Malek perhaps wasn’t peoples’ first choice for Freddie Mercury, and he might end up winning an Oscar for it. Given David Bowie’s talents as a singer, songwriter and actor, it is encouraging that Stardust has cast someone with musical chops who is also an artist in multiple mediums.
In Beast, Johnny Flynn played a quiet and brooding character whose intense magnetism was in part due to the impermeable darkness beneath the surface. He played it well but David Bowie will give Johnny Flynn to an opportunity to showcase his range and other talents.
Now certainly seems like the right time for a David Bowie biopic (Sarah called it). Last year was a banner one for music films with A Star is Born and the phenomenon Bohemian Rhapsody and this year brings the Elton John biopic Rocketman. A David Bowie biopic can certainly capitalize on the singer’s popularity and his catalog of hits.
We’ll keep you updated about Stardust as we hear more. In the meantime check out our 2019 Release Schedule for the movies heading to theaters this year and stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all your movie news.
