With Bohemian Rhapsody recently becoming the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, filmmakers are likely chomping at the bit to create the next big rock and roll box office smash. British director Gabriel Range will be one of the next to take that shot with his David Bowie film Stardust.
English actor/musician Johnny Flynn (Beast) has been tapped to play the legendary Bowie in the 1971-set picture. The story follows Bowie during his first trip to America, during which he was inspired to create his iconic Ziggy Stardust character. Marc Maron is onboard to play Bowie’s publicist, while Jena Malone (The Hunger Games) has been cast as Bowie’s first wife, Angie (via Deadline).
Paul Van Carter and Nick Taussig are producing alongside Range, with the script coming from newcomer Christopher Bell. Additional casting is still underway, and principal photography is set to begin in June.
Update – February 1st: Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, has revealed that the film does not have the blessing of his family and will likely not receive rights to any of his dad’s music.
Previously, Michael C. Hall portrayed Bowie’s character Thomas Newton, from the 1976 film The Man Who Hell to Earth, in the off-Broadway production Lazarus.
In related Bowie news, a new box set collecting nine unreleased recordings is due out in April, while rare footage of Bowie’s first television appearance as Ziggy was recently unearthed and could be released as soon as next month.
You can pick up Bowie vinyl and more at Reverb LP. Head here for more.
