Culture

First trailer drops for controversial David Bowie film Stardust and let’s just say it makes Cats look like Citizen Kane

Oct 29 2020
Written by Lily Wakefield

Johnny Flynn plays David Bowie in Stardust. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty and IFC Films)

The first trailer has dropped for the controversial David Bowie film Stardust, which features none of David Bowie’s music, and fans are already “horrified with this God awful attempt at a biopic”.

The film, which stars singer-turned-actor Johnny Flynn as Bowie, premiered Wednesday (October 28) at Raindance Film Festival.

Stardust is an unauthorised biopic, meaning Bowie’s family did not grant filmmakers any rights, and therefore it contains none of his music.

I’m horrified that not only have @DavidBowieReal’s wishes been ignored but with this god awful attempt at a biopic!!?? #Boycottstardust https://t.co/MTZyOc5yTl

— elizabeth brauer (@EIizabeth_B) October 28, 2020

According to the movie’s distributor, IFC Films, Stardust is set in 1971 when “a 24-year-old fledgling David Bowie (Johnny Flynn) is sent to America to promote his newest record, ‘The Man Who Sold the World'”.

It continues: “Bowie is quickly met with an audience that’s not yet ready for him.

“During the tumultuous journey, Bowie slowly begins to realise a need to reinvent himself in order to truly become himself; it’s with that realisation that his iconic, celestial alter-ego Ziggy Stardust is born… Stardust offers an intimate glimpse into the moments that inspired the creation of Bowie’s first and most memorable alter-ego, illuminating the turning point that cemented his legacy as one of the world’s greatest cultural icons.”

But Bowie fans are having none of it, using the hashtag #BoycottStardust on social media, and pointing out that the musical genius and queer icon specifically said that he did not want films made about his life.

One Twitter user, upon seeing the trailer announced: “I could have made a better film if I shot it in my back garden and played all the characters myself but I wouldn’t do that because I respect Bowie and his family’s wishes.”

As well as the questionable quality and ethics of the film, fans are also confused about the casting of Flynn to play Bowie.

they literally went “who is the actor who looks the least like david bowie?” and cast him for the role https://t.co/De6LRsrBNv— uma (@umawrnkl) October 29, 2020

Twitter has come up with many roles the actor would be better suited for, including Sharon Osborne, a red-headed Karen and a disastrous Bake Off cake.