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Film and TV

John Lydon labels Sex Pistols biopic ‘a disgrace’ and wants to sue

In typical John Lydon fashion, the Sex Pistols frontman has intensely complained about the upcoming biopic and wants to go to court.

No one has ruined their reputation over time quite as spectacularly as Sex Pistols singer John Lydon (stage name Johnny Rotten). Once renowned for penning anti-establishment anthems like God Save The Queen, swearing on TV, and popularising the punk movement, Lydon has sadly devolved from rebellious, to sour.

Lydon, 65, is now associated with acts like donning the MAGA hat, empathising with Trump’s racism, and letting squirrel fleas bite him on his Sex Pistol. Now he’s recently made some heated comments regarding the upcoming biopic on the Sex Pistols. Here’s what you need to know.

John Lydon
Getty

Danny Boyle, the man behind Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, is directing a six-part series called Pistol  – about the Sex Pistols. The series is set to air on HULU in 2022; however, Lydon isn’t crash-hot on the project after seeing some promotional images. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, he had some scathing words:

“That’s the most disrespectful shit I’ve ever had to endure. I mean, they went to the point to hire an actor to play me, but what’s the actor working on? Certainly not my character. It can’t go anywhere else [but court]“.

Lydon went on to admit that Boyle and himself weren’t “complete strangers”, as they had met during the 2021 London Olympics Opening Ceremony. Despite this, Lydon expressed that his consent on the project was not given, and he had not been asked to participate in any way.

“Sorry you think you can do this, like walk over me – it isn’t going to happen”, he quipped.

The Sunday Times also reached out to a spokesperson for the Pistol production, asking whether they had made an effort to inform Lydon of the project. According to the spokesperson, they contacted Lydon’s management intending to speak with the singer about the project but “ultimately direct contact was declined”. More to come.