ACTOR AND musician Johnny Flynn will play a young David Bowie in an upcoming biopic focusing on the music legend’s first visit to the US in 1971.

According to Variety, Flynn has been cast as Bowie in Stardust, which is based on a script by Christopher Bell and is being directed by Gabriel Range.

The 35-year-old is the half-brother of Game of Thrones star Jerome Flynn and was recently seen alongside Ireland’s Jessie Buckley in the critically-acclaimed crime drama Beast.

A Shakespearean actor born in South Africa, Flynn also boasts strong Irish roots in Cork.

Plans for the biopic has not been without controversy though.


Bowie’s son Duncan Jones recently took to Twitter to confirm the film was going ahead without the blessing of his family.

The film has not been given approval to feature any of Bowie’s music either.

“Pretty certain nobody has been granted music rights for ANY biopic… I would know,” Jones said on Twitter.

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

“I’m not saying this movie is not happening. I honestly wouldn’t know. I’m saying that as it stands, this movie won’t have any of dad’s music in it, & I can’t imagine that changing.

“If you want to see a biopic without his music or the families blessing, that’s up to the audience.”


Back in November 2018, Jones revealed he had been attending several meetings discussing a potential biopic. It would appear that Stardust is being made without his blessing though.

Donnie Darko actress Jena Malone has been cast as Bowie’s first wife Angie – Duncan’s mother - while comedian Marc Maron is set to play the singer’s publicist.