Classic rock icons often find themselves reflected in movies and TV shows about their lives. And the bigger the star, the higher the bar is to capture the essence of the rocker in question. As recently as 2018, Rami Malek won an Oscar for playing Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Now Hulu miniseries Pistol tells the story of the Sex Pistols. And guitarist Steve Jones just shared how he really feels about actor Toby Wallace’s performance of him.
‘Pistol’ takes a closer look at the Sex Pistols
Based on Jones’ memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol, the six-part series debuted on Hulu on May 31, 2022. It stars Toby Wallace as Jones, Anson Boon as Johnny Rotten, Jacob Slater as Paul Cook, Christian Lees as Glen Matlock, and Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious. Meanwhile, Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) directs the series.
Pistol chronicles the band’s rise to fame and its role in leading a punk music revolution. Yet, ironically, the series almost wasn’t able to use the Sex Pistols’ music. Jones and Cook sued Johnny Rotten – whose real name is John Lydon – and won the lawsuit, according to The Guardian. So in the end, Pistol was thankfully able to include the music fans love.
Actor Toby Wallace plays Steve Jones
Jones wrote the book on which Pistol is based. But the musician also produced the series. As such, he remained involved through production, often connecting with the creative team online. Jones told Forbes he not only met Wallace but gave him some guitar lessons. But what exactly does he have to say about Wallace’s performance as Jones?
“I think he did a really good job,” Jones told Forbes. “It’s hard to look at someone who’s playing you to criticize it. But when I stand back, I think he was a good, good choice. … [The other actors playing the Sex Pistols also] got their vibe, yeah. [Thomas Brodie Sangster] who plays Malcolm McLaren is incredible. I love it. He’s great in it. And Anson Boone does a great Johnny Rotten.”
The legacy of the Sex Pistols lives on
Looking back, Jones is amazed Pistol attracted talent like Boyle and series creator Craig Pearce. The former even called Jones “the engine of the Sex Pistols,” the guitarist told Forbes. And Pistol could have very well not have happened at all. But its existence bodes well for the continued and growing legacy of the Sex Pistols.
“Who would’ve thought this TV show would’ve ever happened?” Jones told Forbes. “I sure didn’t. We talked about when [the book] came out: ‘Oh maybe it’d be a good movie, and [that] it actually happened is incredible with such talented people, Danny Boyle and Craig Pearce. It’s amazing and actually touching. It’s great.”
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