David Bowie biopic Stardust to go ahead despite ban on using any of his music The ban on using Bowie’s music frees the film from becoming ‘a greatest hits album’, filmmakers said

An unauthorised David Bowie biopic will deploy a creative solution after his family banned filmmakers from using any of his music.

Upcoming film Stardust – which is hoping to emulate the success of recent musical biopics Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody – will not be permitted to use Bowie’s music after a dispute with his family.

The singer’s son, Duncan Jones, said on Friday that the film project does not have the family’s blessing, tweeting: “This movie won’t have any of dad’s music in it, & I can’t imagine that changing.”

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However, the filmmakers have vowed to go ahead with the project – and say the ban on using Bowie’s music will not hinder their plans.

Arthouse drama

Producer Paul Van Carter of Salon Pictures explained that the film will tell the story of a disastrous 1971 publicity tour across the US, intended to promote his third album, The Man Who Sold The World.

Due to an admin error, Bowie did not have a work visa for the trip – meaning he was legally prevented from playing concerts, or even performing his songs live during media appearances.

Instead, Bowie later explained, he was reduced to “talking about the album” in interviews – and putting on secret shows at “the odd private house where I would play for whoever we could get in.”

Mr Van Carter told The Sunday Times that the restriction on Bowie’s music helps ensure that the film will be “an arthouse drama, not a greatest hits album.”

Hindrance

Lovesick star Johnny Flynn, who is set to play Bowie, told the Sunday Times Culture magazine: “The intention was to make a film for which the music would almost be a hindrance. It’s this unusual slice of his life.”

He added: “To tell that story, it would’ve been detrimental to have songs people recognise. He was doing covers. He’d play Jacques Brel, and we have the right to those songs.”

Flynn, a singer-songwriter in his own right, revealed that he has even penned a track for the film.

He said: “I wrote a song that sounds like David trying to do Lou Reed. It’s called “Good Old Jane”, a euphemistic drug song, like David singing “Waiting for the Man”.

“It’s extraordinary trying to inhabit David. To do something that feels worthy.”

Addressing the lack of sign-off from Bowie’s son, Flynn added: “If Duncan saw the film, he wouldn’t be offended.”

The arm’s-length approach is a departure from the formula established by Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.

Sacha Baron Cohen, who was attached to the project before Rami Malek took the role, publicly accused surviving Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor of exerting creative control to block a more gritty the portrait of the band’s frontman.

While Rocketman took a more unvarnished look at the life of Sir Elton John, it did so with the singer’s active involvement and approval, with his husband David Furnish serving as an producer.