Films about rock legends are a hot commodity in recent years. Thanks to the success of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Rocketman,” studios love the idea of presenting stories of some of the biggest icons in music featuring some of the biggest songs in their catalog. But things are a bit different with the upcoming film, “Stardust.”
As seen in the first clip from “Stardust,” the film is not the same as the aforementioned films. Instead of covering the life and career of David Bowie, “Stardust” covers the artist’s first trip to America in 1971. The film also differs from the aforementioned rock biopics in another major way—support from the artist’s estate. “Stardust” came under fire during its production when Bowie’s son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, vocally opposed the film and claimed that the movie would not be allowed to use any of the rock icon’s music. Still, regardless of support, “Stardust” is still on its way.
“I set out to make a film about what makes someone become an artist; what actually drives them to make their art,” said writer-director Gabriel Range (via Variety). “That someone is David Bowie, a man we’re used to thinking about as the star he became, or as one of his alter egos: Ziggy Stardust; Aladdin Zane; The Thin White Duke. Someone I only ever saw at a great distance, behind a mask; a godlike, alien presence. Even in his perfectly choreographed death, he didn’t seem like a regular human being.”
READ MORE: Duncan Jones Criticizes Upcoming David Bowie Biopic ‘Stardust’ & Producers Respond
The film stars Johnny Flynn, Jena Malone, and Marc Maron.
“Stardust” was expected to have its world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, but with that event’s cancellation, the project is debuting online for industry press and distributors only. You can watch the clip below.
Here’s the description of the film from Tribeca:
David Bowie is one of the most seminal legends in music history; but who was the man behind the many faces? In 1971, a 24-year-old fledgling David Bowie (Johnny Flynn) is sent to America to promote his newest record, The Man Who Sold the World. Leaving behind his pregnant wife Angie (Jena Malone), Bowie and his band embark on a makeshift coast-to-coast promotional tour with struggling Mercury Records publicist Rob Oberman (Marc Maron). Stateside, Bowie is quickly met with an audience that’s not yet ready for him. During the tumultuous journey, Bowie slowly begins to realize a need to reinvent himself in order to truly become himself; it’s with that realization that his iconic, celestial alter-ego Ziggy Stardust is born.