The Weinstein Co. sent out a press release today announcing the March 8 start of principal photography on Nowhere Boy, a film billed as telling the never before seen story of John Lennon’s childhood and along with the announcement came a complete cast list including the young man that will be playing Paul McCartney, and I am sure many of you will remember him from a little romance feature a few years back.
Playing Lennon will be Aaron Johnson as announced back in January along with Kristin Scott Thomas who will play Lennon’s tough talking aunt Mimi and Anne-Marie Duff will play his mother Julia.
As for McCartney, that role will be filled by Thomas Sangster who played Liam Neeson’s son in Love, Actually in 2003 and outside of a few small parts here and there, most prominently the box-office bust Tristan + Isolde, this is likely to be his first major role since Love, Actually as he will turn 19 in May. David Morrissey rounds out the cast. Sam Taylor Wood is directing from a script penned by Matt Greenhalgh.
“The story of John Lennon’s childhood has never been told, and now Beatles’ fans will be able to gain insight into his fascinating life,” said Tom Ortenberg, TWC’s president of theatrical films. “Matt [Greenhalgh] wrote an amazing script and Sam has brought together an incredibly talented cast. We’re thrilled to be working with Ecosse and Film4 the latter straight off of their success of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and all of the other accomplished producers on board.”
The official synopsis follows with expectations for the film to hit theaters at the end of 2009.
Nowhere Boy tells the never before seen story of John Lennon’s (Johnson) childhood. John Lennon is an ordinary fifteen year old boy on the streets of Liverpool. Funny, smart, naughty, a real edge to him. But life is not simple for John – he grew up in a family of secrets and was raised by his Aunt Mimi from the age of five. When he is suddenly reacquainted with his mother, Julia, they form an unbreakable bond. A bitter war rages between the two sisters for John’s love. Faced with bringing it to an end, he learns the secret heartbreak of his past. But his mother gives him one great gift – music. A wayward boy finds his voice, and walks into The Beatles.
