Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

John Lydon says Danny Boyle’s Sex Pistols biopic is ‘most disrespectful s*** I’ve ever had to endure’

‘If you put me in a corner like a rat, I’m going to go for your throat,’ Lydon said

Isobel Lewis
Monday 26 April 2021 16:49 BST
Comments
NEWS OF THE WEEK: Danny Boyle to direct Steve Jones' Sex Pistols series

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

John Lydon has branded Danny Boyle’s forthcoming Sex Pistols biopic “the most disrespectful s*** I’ve ever had to endure”.

Filming begun last month on Pistol, a six-part miniseries starring Toby Wallace, Anson Boon, Louis Partridge, and Jacob Slater as the British punk band. Derry Girls’ Dylan Llewelyn and Game of Thrones stars Maisie Williams and Thomas Brodie-Sangster are also among the cast.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Lydon – known in the band as Johnny Rotten – shared his thoughts on recent images of the cast filming on set.

“I think that’s the most disrespectful s*** I’ve ever had to endure,” Lydon said. “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].”

The 65-year-old said that he was now seeking legal advice about taking the production team to court as he claimed that neither his consent nor participation was requested.

“Sorry, you think you can do this, like walk all over me — it isn’t going to happen,” he said. “Not without a huge, enormous f***ing fight. I’m Johnny, you know, and when you interfere with my business you’re going to get the bitter end of my business as a result.

“It’s a disgrace… If you put me in a corner like a rat, I’m going to go for your throat. I’m up against some corporations that just want to take over.”

A spokesperson for Pistol told The Sunday Times that Boyle had contacted Lydon via his management company about the project, but that direct contact was declined.

Elsewhere in the interview, Lydon revealed that he has become a full-time carer for his wife as she struggles with Alzheimer’s.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in