Rumours abound that Harry Styles is to play Mick Jagger in a new Rolling Stones biopic. Interesting. but there are plenty of other musical lives we’d like to see played out on screen too. Here are the musicians we’d like to get the biopic treatment – and the actors we reckon would play them best.
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Lou Reed
Having passed away earlier this year, a movie stepping inside the gloriously twisted psyche of Lou Reed would be a fascinating watch done correctly. Our vote to play him? James Franco.
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Jason Schwartman as George Harrison
Jason Schwartman as George Harrison
Mostly because, of course, a mustachioed Jason is practically a dead-ringer for the late Beatle. But his collaborations with Wes Anderson should make him a shoo-in, too, to nail the gentle, out-there kookiness of George’s mystical charm.
Mostly because, of course, a mustachioed Jason is practically a dead-ringer for the late Beatle. But his collaborations with Wes Anderson should make him a shoo-in, too, to nail the gentle, out-there kookiness of George’s mystical charm.
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Lindsay Lohan as Courtney Love
Lindsay Lohan as Courtney Love
Like Courtney Love, Lindsay Lohan is a tempestuous blonde with a flair for self-destruction. Which makes her perfect to portray the Hole star in a warts 'n' all biopic, we reckon.
Like Courtney Love, Lindsay Lohan is a tempestuous blonde with a flair for self-destruction. Which makes her perfect to portray the Hole star in a warts 'n' all biopic, we reckon.
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Scarlett Johansson as Debbie Harry
Scarlett Johansson as Debbie Harry
Lost In Translation star Johansson has the raw magnetism needed to portray Harry in her heyday in a Blondie biopic. She showed off her husky vocal stylings on 2008 Tom Waits tribute album, 'Anywhere I Lay My Head', so you can add singing talent to the bargain.
Lost In Translation star Johansson has the raw magnetism needed to portray Harry in her heyday in a Blondie biopic. She showed off her husky vocal stylings on 2008 Tom Waits tribute album, 'Anywhere I Lay My Head', so you can add singing talent to the bargain.
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Michael Cera as Beck
Michael Cera as Beck
It's not just us who think the Arrested Development man's a dead ringer for this Californian marvel, is it? A Beck biopic would be the perfect opportunity for Cera to show off his acting muscle outside of mumblecore comedy.
It's not just us who think the Arrested Development man's a dead ringer for this Californian marvel, is it? A Beck biopic would be the perfect opportunity for Cera to show off his acting muscle outside of mumblecore comedy.
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Lenny Kravitz as Bob Marley
Lenny Kravitz as Bob Marley
Kravitz has got enough acting experience under his belt (his recent credits include the first two Hunger Games movies) now to take on this meaty role, digging into the reggae pioneer's politics and personal life.
Kravitz has got enough acting experience under his belt (his recent credits include the first two Hunger Games movies) now to take on this meaty role, digging into the reggae pioneer's politics and personal life.
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Taylor Swift as Joni Mitchell
Taylor Swift as Joni Mitchell
Folky talent? Tick. A physical resemblence? Tick. The acting chops to play Mitchell? Hmm. Forum bores would groan if Taylor Swift were to be announced as the star of a film telling the '60s star's story but we'd definitely go see it.
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Tilda Swinton as David Bowie
Tilda Swinton as David Bowie
Who knows Bowie better than Tilda Swinton? The pair have been friends and creative partners for a long time now, suggesting, in addition to making a decent ringer for Dame Dave, she'd have the inside knowledge of the legend's mannerisms and psyche to pull off a memorable portrayal.
Who knows Bowie better than Tilda Swinton? The pair have been friends and creative partners for a long time now, suggesting, in addition to making a decent ringer for Dame Dave, she'd have the inside knowledge of the legend's mannerisms and psyche to pull off a memorable portrayal.
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Winona Ryder as Bjork
Winona Ryder as Bjork
Could the Alien actress bring Bjork's icy mystique to the silver screen? We'd like to see her give it a bash.
Could the Alien actress bring Bjork's icy mystique to the silver screen? We'd like to see her give it a bash.
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Bjork as Thom Yorke
Bjork as Thom Yorke
A tricky one, this: whoever brings well-known cheeky chappy Thom to the silver screen is going to have to be a ‘proper artiste’. Step forward, Bjork: an artist with an excellently esoteric back-catalogue to marvel Yorke’s, and who’s already got a star cinema turn under her belt with he role in Lars von Trier’s ‘Dancer In The Dark’.
A tricky one, this: whoever brings well-known cheeky chappy Thom to the silver screen is going to have to be a ‘proper artiste’. Step forward, Bjork: an artist with an excellently esoteric back-catalogue to marvel Yorke’s, and who’s already got a star cinema turn under her belt with he role in Lars von Trier’s ‘Dancer In The Dark’.
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Rivers Cuomo as Elvis Costello
Rivers Cuomo as Elvis Costello
He wouldn’t be much cop at playing a more-weathered Elvis, of course, but as a younger Costello, the Weezer frontman would be perfect. He's already got the glasses, so the studio will save on costume costs.
He wouldn’t be much cop at playing a more-weathered Elvis, of course, but as a younger Costello, the Weezer frontman would be perfect. He's already got the glasses, so the studio will save on costume costs.
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Willem Dafoe as Prince
Willem Dafoe as Prince
A left field choice, but if you're going to make a movie about a man famed for thinking outside of the box, you might as well do the same, right? Dafoe has the firecracker charisma and captivating presence to play Prince. Give him a shot, we say, Hollywood execs!
A left field choice, but if you're going to make a movie about a man famed for thinking outside of the box, you might as well do the same, right? Dafoe has the firecracker charisma and captivating presence to play Prince. Give him a shot, we say, Hollywood execs!
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Jennifer Aniston as Iggy Pop
Jennifer Aniston as Iggy Pop
A chance for the Friends star to break out of the rom-com cycle.
A chance for the Friends star to break out of the rom-com cycle.
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Zachary Quinto As Ad-Rock
Zachary Quinto As Ad-Rock
The share a slight visual resemblance - the question is, could Star Trek actor Quinto handle the Beastie's flow?
The share a slight visual resemblance - the question is, could Star Trek actor Quinto handle the Beastie's flow?
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John Malkovich as Phil Collins
John Malkovich as Phil Collins
It’s not just because they’re both bald. Honest. Malkovich is a bona-fide screen chameleon, and he’d certainly be up to the task of portraying the enigma that is Phil Collins: a man responsible for some of the world’s blandest music, who ended a 10-year marriage by sending a fax.
It’s not just because they’re both bald. Honest. Malkovich is a bona-fide screen chameleon, and he’d certainly be up to the task of portraying the enigma that is Phil Collins: a man responsible for some of the world’s blandest music, who ended a 10-year marriage by sending a fax.
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Aubrey Plaza as Kate Bush
Aubrey Plaza as Kate Bush
If she can perfect Kate’s dulcet London tones, ‘Parks And Recreation’ star Aubrey Plaza would be the perfect candidate to bring the wide-eyed wonder of Bush to the big screen, adding a touch of humour to proceedings.
If she can perfect Kate’s dulcet London tones, ‘Parks And Recreation’ star Aubrey Plaza would be the perfect candidate to bring the wide-eyed wonder of Bush to the big screen, adding a touch of humour to proceedings.
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Noel Fielding as Rod Stewart
Noel Fielding as Rod Stewart
Just look at 'em. Noel would nail that role like notorious lothario Rod nailing a... uhh, never mind.
Just look at 'em. Noel would nail that role like notorious lothario Rod nailing a... uhh, never mind.
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Joe Strummer
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Joe Strummer
Bring a touch of punk rebellion to his natural, radiant charisma, and the Inception actor could do a bang-up job playing Strummer, we reckon.
Bring a touch of punk rebellion to his natural, radiant charisma, and the Inception actor could do a bang-up job playing Strummer, we reckon.
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Charlotte Gainsbourg as Patti Smith
Charlotte Gainsbourg as Patti Smith
They're not only doppelgangers, but share a similar ageless class. Hollywood, get this movie greenlit.
They're not only doppelgangers, but share a similar ageless class. Hollywood, get this movie greenlit.
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Ross Kemp as Eminem
Ross Kemp as Eminem
Just for the LOLs.
Just for the LOLs.
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Matthew McConaughey as Nick Cave
Matthew McConaughey as Nick Cave
Because let's face it, after starring in True Detective, McConaughey can do pretty much whatever he wants.
Because let's face it, after starring in True Detective, McConaughey can do pretty much whatever he wants.
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Bruno Mars as Michael Jackson
Bruno Mars as Michael Jackson
The physical resemblance is there. The musical resemblance is there. Mars has had his fair share of personal demons, too. C'mon Hollywood, get this green lit.
The physical resemblance is there. The musical resemblance is there. Mars has had his fair share of personal demons, too. C'mon Hollywood, get this green lit.
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Harry Styles as Mick Jagger
Harry Styles as Mick Jagger
Controversial, of course. But who else really knows what it must have been like to be a snake-hipped young sex symbol of Jagger-proportions than young Harry? It goes without saying he wouldn’t be allowed to sing in the film, mind.
Controversial, of course. But who else really knows what it must have been like to be a snake-hipped young sex symbol of Jagger-proportions than young Harry? It goes without saying he wouldn’t be allowed to sing in the film, mind.
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Miles Kane as Paul McCartney
Miles Kane as Paul McCartney
John Lennon's had his biopic, 2011's Nowhere Boy. Where's McCartney's, eh? We'd have Miles star, for his musical ability.
John Lennon's had his biopic, 2011's Nowhere Boy. Where's McCartney's, eh? We'd have Miles star, for his musical ability.
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Idris Elba as Marvin Gaye
Idris Elba as Marvin Gaye
You just know this would be a decent watch.
You just know this would be a decent watch.
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Damien Lewis as Josh Homme
Damien Lewis as Josh Homme
After playing a US marine-turned-terrorist-turned-spy in Homeland, it’s time for Damien to sink his teeth into a real badass role: the mighty Josh Homme.
After playing a US marine-turned-terrorist-turned-spy in Homeland, it’s time for Damien to sink his teeth into a real badass role: the mighty Josh Homme.
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Johnny Depp as Jack White
Johnny Depp as Jack White
He's got the look, that's for sure. Regular acting partner Helena Bonham Carter could maybe even play Stripes drummer Meg. Unless of course she's too busy with...
He's got the look, that's for sure. Regular acting partner Helena Bonham Carter could maybe even play Stripes drummer Meg. Unless of course she's too busy with...
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Helena Botham Carter as PJ Harvey
Helena Botham Carter as PJ Harvey
Tim Burton to direct. Obviously.
Tim Burton to direct. Obviously.
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Paul Dano as Daniel Johnston
Paul Dano as Daniel Johnston
Anyone who's seen documentary The Devil In Daniel Johnston will testify the cult songwriter's story is one that's almost stranger than fiction. A big screen fictionalisation would have to be headed up by 'There Will Be Blood' Paul Dano, who's got the edginess and indie cred to step into the 'Devil Town' singer's shoes.
Anyone who's seen documentary The Devil In Daniel Johnston will testify the cult songwriter's story is one that's almost stranger than fiction. A big screen fictionalisation would have to be headed up by 'There Will Be Blood' Paul Dano, who's got the edginess and indie cred to step into the 'Devil Town' singer's shoes.
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Alex Turner as Elvis Presley
Alex Turner as Elvis Presley
A rock’n’roll saviour who looks good with a quiff... Could it be anyone else?
A rock’n’roll saviour who looks good with a quiff... Could it be anyone else?