Yoko blocks use of John Lennon's music in new film

[nowheregirl]

www.gigwise.com/news/40182/yoko-ono-blocks-use-of-john-lennons-music-on-new-film

Yoko Ono has reportedly blocked a film maker's request to use John Lennon's music on the soundtrack of a new movie about the couple.

The movie, entitled 'Mhari And The Lennons', tells the fictional story of the couple's trip to Scotland in 1969 and their impact on the local community.

Screenwriter Derek Yeaman apparently wrote the script after discovering Lennon had become friends with a minister from the Free Church of Scotland.

However, Ono turned down the request because the trip brought back 'bad memories' for her.

During the holiday the couple were involved in a car crash resulting in John Lennon spending five days in hospital.

Explaining the refusal to licence the songs for the film Yoko Ono’s lawyer Pete Shukat said: "She felt that the story would not reflect greatly on anybody and she just wasn't happy for it.

We wouldn't authorise the licence of John's music - and she controls John's music. And I don't believe without Yoko's approval Sony/ATV would licence The Beatles' music."

[taylor]

I wonder who they got to play John Lennon. Most actors who end up playing John don't look much like him. Although Steven McKenna who played John in Birth of The Beatles and Ian Hart who played him in Backbeat sort of looked like him when they played him.

[nowheregirl]

I don't know, I haven't seen any more information about this movie. I thought Ian Hart was good too, though I suppose he'd be too old to play John now (I think he's over 40 now).

[taylor]

Ian's probably too old to play John now if he's over 40.

[Alan The Walrus]

Mark McGann in 'John and Yoko' was great as John as was Ian Hart.

[Sun King]

I agree about Mark McGann. I thought 'John and Yoko - A Love Story' was pretty good.

[taylor]

I watched a part of a clip from John & Yoko. I don't think Mark McGann looks like John Lennon. Not that it really matters if whoever plays John sort of looks like him. I wonder if Sean Lennon would be interested in playing his father in a movie about him.

[Alan The Walrus]

Well, I had always thought Paul McGann woud be good as John Lennon and Mark is Paul's brother so...

But yeah, I think Mark McGann was the best at playing him, followed by Ian Hart.