Kind of....

Hollywood star Michael Fassbender is to play ‘Frank Sidebottom’ in a new movie inspired by the comedian.

Writers Peter Straughan and Jon Ronson – who spent three years in Sidebottom’s Oh Blimey Big Band – have written a fictionalised biography based on the character, who emerged from Eighties musical subculture to become a cult comic icon.

Today producers Film Four revealed that X Men and Prometheus star Fassbender will take the lead role in the movie, called Frank, with Domhnall Gleeson cast in Ronson’s role.

They say the script is not ‘literally true’ but will be loosely based on the life of Sidebottom creator Chris Sievey, who died in 2010, and his alter ego. Gleeson will play an aspiring musician who finds himself in over his head when he joins an eccentric rock band led by Fassbender.

Rosnon tweeted today: ‘The film isn't a film about Frank Sidebottom. It's fictional, inspired by Frank but also by other great mavericks like Daniel Johnston.

‘It's not a film about Frank Sidebottom! It's totally made up. Bowled over that Michael Fassbender and Domhnall Gleeson are in our film

The film is being directed by Lenny Abrahamson, while co-writer Straughan is best known for his recent adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Filming will begin in December.

Published: 5 Sep 2012