Frankie Goes to Hollywood movie biopic announced and lead actor revealed
The 80s pop icons are set to hit the big screen
Last updated 12th May 2023
Just three days after Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunited for the first time in 36 years, it’s been confirmed that a movie biopic about the 80s pop icons is in the works.
Titled Relax after the band’s breakthrough single of the same name, the film is based on frontman Holly Johnson’s 1994 autobiography A Bone in My Flute.
24-year-old Welsh actor Callum Scott Howells, who’s best known for playing Colin in acclaimed Channel 4 drama It’s a Sin, will play Holly Johnson in Relax. Callum says he’s “excited and honoured” to be starring in the movie.
The film was written and will be helmed by English director Bernard Rose, who created the infamous ‘Relax’ video back in 1983. Bernard's other credits include horror classics Paperhouse and Candyman, and in 2010 he made the Howard Marks biopic Mr Nice.
In the 80s, Rose also created Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’ video together with Bronski Beat’s ‘Smalltown Boy’ and UB40’s cover of ‘Red Red Wine.’
Bernard Rose commented: “Combining the wit of the Beatles, the power of The Rolling Stones and the outrage of The Sex Pistols, Frankie Goes To Hollywood went from unemployed Liverpudlians to Kings of pop on the back of their epic banned record Relax.
“In 1984 they outsold Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Duran Duran. Their epic rise, bringing the then deeply underground S+M and LGBTQ club scene screaming into the limelight, is the energetic and moving story of underdogs that win one for the ages.
“I was very much a part of the hoopla, having directed the original ‘banned’ Relax video and I want to bring that innocent and daring world of 1984 back to life for a new audience today…”
Bridget Jones, Les Miserables and Billy Elliot producer Working Title is behind the movie.
Tim Bevan, Co-Chairperson of Working Title, said: “Working Title is always looking to champion British stories and so the opportunity to shine a light on Frankie Goes To Hollywood, a British band who truly revolutionised the UK music industry, was a natural fit for us.
“Working under the direction of Bernard Rose, the project will star exciting young talent, Callum Scott Howells in the lead, and Independent Entertainment as partner. We can’t wait to get started.”
Frankie Goes to Hollywood performed ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’ at the Eurovision Song Contest opening party outside St George’s Hall in Liverpool on Sunday night (7th May).
The following day, Holly Johnson announced two headline UK shows at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Saturday 21st October and The London Palladium on Friday 27th October.
The concerts celebrate the 40th anniversary of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s ‘Relax’ and the upcoming 35th anniversary of Holly Johnson’s chart-topping solo album ‘Blast.’
Tickets are on sale from Aloud.com
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