Panacea Entertainment and Rhino Films have linked for a movie about Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten, aka John Lydon, and the British socio-political climate that gave birth to punk. The film, budgeted at roughly $5 million, will be based on Lydon's autobiography, "Rotten: No Irish - No Blacks - No Dogs," which was published by St. Martin's Press in fall 1994.
Lydon's manager, Eric Gardner, and Rhino Films' Stephen Nemeth will jointly produce the feature. Lydon will be active in the making of the movie, including overseeing script development and helping choose the screenwriter, director, and cast.
"The film will be more of a portrayal of the social, cultural, and political times of England in the 1970s than a story of the Sex Pistols," Gardner tells Billboard sister publication The Hollywood Reporter. "Sure, the Sex Pistols will play a part in the film, but it's more about the tone of the music. It will reflect the rebelliousness of that time. It will truly be a Rotten film."
Rhino Films hopes to secure foreign presales for the picture at the Cannes International Film Festival. Domestic distribution will be addressed upon Rhino's return from Cannes.
Lydon's manager, Eric Gardner, and Rhino Films' Stephen Nemeth will jointly produce the feature. Lydon will be active in the making of the movie, including overseeing script development and helping choose the screenwriter, director, and cast.
"The film will be more of a portrayal of the social, cultural, and political times of England in the 1970s than a story of the Sex Pistols," Gardner tells Billboard sister publication The Hollywood Reporter. "Sure, the Sex Pistols will play a part in the film, but it's more about the tone of the music. It will reflect the rebelliousness of that time. It will truly be a Rotten film."
Rhino Films hopes to secure foreign presales for the picture at the Cannes International Film Festival. Domestic distribution will be addressed upon Rhino's return from Cannes.
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