John Lydon has slammed Danny Boyle's forthcoming Sex Pistols biopic series as "disrespectful" and claimed that production on the show went ahead without his consent.
The former Sex Pistols frontman added that he is considering taking legal action over the new series for the FX channel, which is entitled Pistol and based on guitarist Steve Jones’ 2018 memoir Lonely Boy: Tales From A Sex Pistol.
Reacting to recently published publicity photos from the six-part series, Lydon told The Sunday Times, "I think that’s the most disrespectful sh** I’ve ever had to endure.
"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]."
John Lydon: Here I am! Hell in a hand basket!
Trainspotting director Boyle is directing Pistol, which began filming last month. It was created for TV by Craig Pearce (The Great Gatsby) and written by Pearce and Frank Cottrell-Boyce (24 Hour Party People).
Lydon also said he had previously met Boyle during preparations for the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.
"it's not like we’re complete strangers," Lydon said. "Sorry, you think you can do this, like walk all over me - it isn’t going to happen. 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."
A spokesperson for the Pistol told The Sunday Times that Boyle had contacted Lydon’s management company about the series but "ultimately direct contact was declined".
Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams plays punk icon Jordan (AKA Pamela Rooke) in the series alongside Babyteeth's Toby Wallace as Steve Jones, and Dylan Llewellyn of Derry Girls as Wally Nightingale.
