Pistol

Craig Pearce studied acting at Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art. As an actor, he was part of Baz Luhrmann's theater ensemble team Six Years Old. There, he collaborated with Luhrmann and other company members to develop an extended version of Strictly Ballroom. This acclaimed stage production became the catalyst for the 1992 film version, which Pearce co-wrote with Luhrmann.Strictly Ballroom won eight Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Screenplay. It was nominated for five BAFTAs®, including Best Screenplay, won the New South Wales Premier’s Literary Award for Best Screenplay and the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival.Pearce and Luhrmann then adapted William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, broke box office records for Shakespeare worldwide. Among its many nominations and awards, it won four BAFTAs, including Best Screenplay, and the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.Pearce and Luhrmann also co-wrote the screenplay for Moulin Rouge. The film was the opening night in-competition movie at the Cannes Film Festival. Its many accolades include winning two National Board of Review Awards (Best Film), nine Golden Satellite Awards (nomination for Best Screenplay), three Golden Globes® (Best Film Musical or Comedy), GRAMMY®, Los Angeles Film Festival Award for Movie of the Year, five Australian Film Institute Awards, two American Film Institute Awards and numerous others. Moulin Rouge was also nominated for eleven BAFTAs, including Best Screenplay, eight Academy Awards®, notably Best Picture; and the 54th Annual Writers Guild Award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen.In 2010, Pearce’s screen adaptation of Charlie St. Cloud, starring Zac Efron, was released worldwide by Universal Studios. He then co-wrote with Luhrmann a screen adaptation of The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which was a worldwide box office and critical success, going on to win two Oscars®, two BAFTAs and 13 AACTA Awards, including Best Screenplay. It also had the honor of opening the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.In 2016, Pearce was honored with the Australian Writer's Guild Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, he completed his first major television project, serving as writer, executive producer and showrunner for TNT's Will, a 10-hour episodic drama about the lost years of William Shakespeare. Pearce then collaborated again with Luhrmann on Strictly Ballroom: The Musical for London’s West End. He recently co-wrote with Luhrmann on Elvis (starring Tom Hanks, Austin Butler and Olivia DeJonge).A keen surfer, Pearce divides his time between Sydney, London and Costa Rica.

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A keen surfer, Pearce divides his time between Sydney, London and Costa Rica.

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Craig Pearce | Pistol on FX

Craig Pearce | Creator, Executive Producer, Writer | Pistol on FX

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Toby Wallace stars as Steve Jones, lead guitarist of the Sex Pistols. One of Britain’s countless millions of desperately poor and conveniently forgotten youth, Steve’s childhood is worse than most. He never knew his father; his mother is indifferent and his stepfather is abusive.Outwardly charming, funny and charismatic, Steve hides his damage beneath an imaginary “Cloak of Invisibility.” His initial bid for identity is as lead singer of Kutie Jones and his Sex Pistols. But according to mentors Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, Steve’s very damaged - which is very good, but he’s too damaged to be up front. He must plow all that damage into the music - and so the lead guitarist of the Sex Pistols (and Rolling Stone’s 97th greatest rock guitarist of all time), is born.

Toby Wallace headshot wearing a black shirt and necklace

Jacob Slater stars as Paul “Cookie” Cook, Sex Pistols’ drummer. Best friends since childhood, Cookie and Steve are inseparable. Cookie also grew up poor, but his parents adore him - so much so, that his drum kit lives in their bedroom, the only room big enough to accommodate it. Cookie’s background gives him the strength of character to harness the anarchy of the world’s most explosive band.

Jacob Slater headshot wearing a British flag shirt behind an instrument

Anson Boon stars as John Lydon, lead singer of the Sex Pistols. AKA Johnny Rotten, so named for his teeth, John becomes the always simmering, frequently boiling over, voice of a furious generation. A working-class, lyrical genius, John’s rivalry with Steve is ongoing. The pain that he feels over the death of long-time friend Sid Vicious is heartfelt and real.

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Louis Partridge stars as Sid Vicious, the Sex Pistols’ bass guitarist. By turns charismatic, sweet, funny, child-like and shockingly violent, Sid is brought into the band at the height of the Pistols’ fame. Completely out of his depth, Sid becomes the doomed emblem of the most extreme aspects of punk.

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Sydney Chandler stars as Chrissie Hynde. Born in Akron, Ohio, Chrissie has embarked on her U.K. odyssey out of love for English music. Smart, strong, tough and talented - she’s fiercely determined to succeed. Chrissie and Steve’s affair is doomed from the start, but their connection is strong. Chrissie goes on to become an international star, and she and Steve remain life-long friends.

Sydney Chandler headshot wearing a black tank top

Christian Lees stars as Glen Matlock, Sex Pistols’ original bass guitarist. A talented musician and songwriter, Glen’s family is a little higher up the social ladder than his band mates. This causes constant tension with Johnny. Eventually Steve is emotionally blackmailed into sacking Glen for Johnny’s mate Sid, who fits the image gloriously, but not the musical requirements.

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Talulah Riley portrays Vivienne Westwood. Along with partner Malcolm McLaren, Vivienne created the Kings Road boutique SEX - the epicenter of punk. A visionary fashion designer and natural born provocateur, Vivienne ferociously challenges Britain’s boring, corrupt, Establishment by constantly pushing the boundaries of what fashion, art and music can do.

Talulah Riley headshot wearing a black top with chains on it

Maisie Williams portrays Jordan. Icon and inspiration, Jordan was a foundational member of the punk movement. On her morning commute to SEX, she would wear a transparent, fetish-raincoat, black rubber knickers and very little else. In ‘70s Britain, this was an act of tremendous bravery. For Jordan it was political. A “fuck you” to the hypocrisy of the ruling classes, and a challenge to say what was real.

Maisie Williams headshot wearing a black leather top and red face make up

Emma Appleton portrays Nancy Spungen. Disliked by almost everyone she meets; most dismiss Nancy as a groupie. But there’s more to her than that. Strangled by her umbilical cord at birth, Nancy excelled academically but was diagnosed schizophrenic at age 15. Punk Juliet to Sid’s Romeo - her bond with Sid is chaotic, violent, dysfunctional and unbreakable.

Emma Appleton headshot wearing a buckle necklace and black top

Thomas Brodie-Sangster portrays Malcolm McLaren. Malcolm, who went on to become a ground-breaking music producer and solo artist, is Fagin to Steve’s artful dodger. Although on a mission to sweep away the inequitable power structures of 1970s Britain, there is something of the toff (upper class) about him. Malcolm’s the closest thing Steve’s ever had to a father, and Steve cannot betray him; even when it’s in his best interests to do so.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster headshot wearing a red plaid jacket and green top

Danny Boyle Headshot wearing a blue shirt and glasses

Tracey Seaward headshot wearing a black shirt

Gail Lyon headshot wearing a white shirt and looking over her shoulder

Anita Camarata headshot wearing a black turtle neck

Steve Jones headshot wearing a big black coat covering his neck

Paul Lee headshot wearing glasses and a polka dot button up with black blazer

Hope Hartman headshot wearing a black top and earrings 