‘I’ve always dreamed of being in a boyband,” says director Eddie Sternberg, laughing – then quickly adding for clarity: “I’m kidding!” He’s talking about his debut feature, I Used to Be Famous. It’s the story of a washed-up former pop star played by Deadpool actor Ed Skrein, who gets his musical mojo back by jamming with a talented autistic drummer (played by newcomer Leo Long).
Actually, says Sternberg, he got the idea for the film 10 years ago when pop stars started doing comeback tours. “Blue, 5ive, Eternal – all these bands from when I was a kid.” Grabbing at a final 15 minutes of fame, they were only in their late 20s or early 30s. “I found that tragic, the idea of people having their peak in their teens or 20s, then trying to fill that void. And I love redemption stories.”
