Friday 18 July 2008
On 18 July 2008, it was announced that a new film depicting the early life of John Lennon was to be made, based on a book written by his half-sister Julia Baird. The project — titled Nowhere Boy — had received backing from the UK Film Council’s development fund for established film makers.
John Lennon — the story behind the legend
Officially licensed John Lennon Imagine Peace unisex T-shirt.
Nowhere Boy
The screenplay was written by Matt Greenhalgh, writer of the BAFTA-winning Ian Curtis biopic Control (2007). Greenhalgh explained his attraction to the project:
“When looking for my next project I was wary of musical protagonists – but when John Lennon was floated, that vanished. He is beyond music; above it even.”
“And his early life as told in Julia’s book took me into a world that illuminated so much about this legendary genius. I could see the drama and film immediately. The women in his life, the men who weren’t, the birth of rock ‘n’ roll; all imposing on a brilliantly complicated adolescent mind.”
“The nagging questions, the icy secrets, the need for love. John’s angst and anger pouring out into his music, his thankful salvation. Without this story we would never have heard the Beatles – can you imagine that?”
— Matt Greenhalgh
Nowhere Boy was released in 2009, directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. It starred Aaron Johnson as the teenage John Lennon, Kristin Scott Thomas as his Aunt Mimi, and Anne-Marie Duff as his mother Julia. The film depicted Lennon’s adolescence in Liverpool, his relationship with his mother and aunt, and the formation of The Quarrymen.
Julia Baird
Julia Baird was born in 1947 to John ‘Bobby’ Dykins and Julia Lennon, John Lennon’s mother. She has written two books about her brother:
- John Lennon, My Brother (1988)
- Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon (2007)
It was the second of these books — Imagine This — that formed the basis for the Nowhere Boy screenplay.
John Lennon — the man, the music, the legacy
Officially licensed John Lennon Self Portrait pullover hoodie.
Key Details
| Announcement date | 18 July 2008 |
| Film title | Nowhere Boy |
| Screenplay | Matt Greenhalgh |
| Director | Sam Taylor-Johnson |
| Based on | Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon by Julia Baird (2007) |
| Funding | UK Film Council development fund for established film makers |
| Released | 2009 |
| Cast | Aaron Johnson (John Lennon), Kristin Scott Thomas (Aunt Mimi), Anne-Marie Duff (Julia Lennon) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film Nowhere Boy about?
Nowhere Boy (2009) is a biographical film about the teenage years of John Lennon in Liverpool. It depicts his relationships with his Aunt Mimi and his mother Julia, and the formation of The Quarrymen. It was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and starred Aaron Johnson as Lennon.
Who wrote the screenplay for Nowhere Boy?
The screenplay for Nowhere Boy was written by Matt Greenhalgh, who also wrote the BAFTA-winning Ian Curtis biopic Control (2007).
What book is Nowhere Boy based on?
Nowhere Boy is based on Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon (2007) by Julia Baird, John Lennon’s half-sister. Julia was born to John ‘Bobby’ Dykins and Julia Lennon, John’s mother.
Who is Julia Baird?
Julia Baird is John Lennon’s half-sister, born in 1947 to John ‘Bobby’ Dykins and Julia Lennon. She has written two books about her brother: John Lennon, My Brother (1988) and Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon (2007).
Who played John Lennon in Nowhere Boy?
Aaron Johnson played the teenage John Lennon in Nowhere Boy (2009). Kristin Scott Thomas played Aunt Mimi and Anne-Marie Duff played Julia Lennon.
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