New look at Johnny Flynn as David Bowie in 'Stardust' shared as film sets Raindance premiere

Emma star Johnny Flynn looks the spitting image of rock icon David Bowie in a new still from the upcoming film Stardust. It shows the rocker sporting the iconic red mullet that played key part in the star’s stage image as his alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

The unauthorised film is not a traditional biopic like recent hits Bohemian Rhapsody or Rocketman. Instead it focusses on a key moment in the Let’s Dance singer’s career, specifically the creation of the Ziggy persona which catapulted him to global fame. It sees Bowie in 1971on his first trip to America, as he begins to craft himself a new identity.

It’s not been made in collaboration with Bowie’s estate, and doesn’t feature any of the singer’s original music.

The new image comes courtesy of the indie film festival Raindance, which will host the UK premiere of Stardust as its socially-distanced, opening night gala on 28 October.

Earlier this year, Flynn told Yahoo that the film will examine just a small chapter in Bowie’s life, while he’s on the path to global superstardom.

“It’s a very small film, it’s just a tiny moment in [Bowie’s] life, so it’s different to the other big rock biopics that have gone out recently.”

Read more: First clip of Johnny Flynn's David Bowie in new movie 'Stardust'

Hunger Games star Jena Malone is Bowie’s ambitious first wife Angie, while GLOW star Marc Maron will appear as Ron Oberman of Mercury Records, who took Bowie to America for the very first time.

The Raindance Film Festival kicks off on 28 October with the UK Premiere of Stardust, directed by Gabriel Range. BAFTA-nominated director Gabriel Range will attend this red carpet event at The May Fair Hotel in London, and take part in a post-screening Q&A.

The gala will have reduced audience capacity to adhere to social-distancing guidelines, and specially designed Raindance masks will be provided. Tickets to the opening gala are on sale now.

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“Storytelling brings us together,” says Raindance founder Elliot Grove. “This year more than ever, we need the medium of film to unite us, inspire us, and help us to feel empowered and not isolated. No matter where you are in the UK, as long as you have a screen you can be a part of the Raindance Film Festival. There’s no stopping us.”