Johnny Flynn Cast as Paul Simon in ‘The Road Home’ Alongside Cynthia Erivo, Guy Pearce, and Thabo Rametsi at Cannes
Johnny Flynn Joins Cast of Bill Condon’s The Road Home
Johnny Flynn, known for his roles in Beast and Ripley, has been announced as a new addition to the cast of Bill Condon’s upcoming film The Road Home. He will appear alongside Cynthia Erivo, Guy Pearce, and South African talent Thabo Rametsi, recognized for his work in Silverton Siege.
Flynn brings a personal connection to the role, having previously opened for Paul Simon during a concert in 2018 with his band, Johnny Flynn and The Sussex Wit. In The Road Home, Flynn will portray Simon himself.
The film, penned by Michael Bronner, tells the story of trumpeter Hugh Masekela (played by Rametsi), who faces exile from South Africa amid the Anti-Apartheid Movement. The narrative unfolds as Masekela grapples with tensions between his mentor, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (Pearce), and Simon, whose album Graceland incites controversy for allegedly violating the United Nations’ Cultural Boycott.
In a pivotal turn, Masekela breaks away from Huddleston and teams up with celebrated singer Miriam ‘Mama Africa’ Makeba (Erivo) to form a supergroup, the Graceland Band, aimed at amplifying South Africa’s artistic voice worldwide.
Reflecting on the project, Flynn expressed, “For me, there are very few stories that could come closer to home than this. I was born in Johannesburg and moved to London in 1985 – just before the album Graceland was released. The music of South Africa – and especially that of Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba IS the sound of my childhood. And Graceland was the most played cassette in our car growing up. My parents were supporters of the anti-apartheid movement and various family members were persecuted for being so also. It’s such an honour to be invited to tell this story with artists that I admire so much. It’s the story of hope and the power of music.”
The screenplay is based on ideas from Bronner and Zakes Mda, with Bronner also serving as a producer. His connection to South Africa began in 2000 while working on a Peabody Award-winning documentary for CBS’s 60 Minutes. The Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation initially approached him to write the screenplay.
The film is produced by Oscar-nominated producer Laura Bickford (Traffic, Che Part 1 and Part 2, Arbitrage) in collaboration with Bronner, Greg Yolen (Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Good Liar), and Anant Singh (Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Sarafina!). Executive producers include Fiona Druckenmiller and Rob Bath, with additional executive production from Studiocanal executives Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, and Shana Eddy-Grouf, along with Sudie Smyth overseeing physical production. Sam Shipp serves as a creative executive on the film.
Studiocanal is financing the project alongside Flora Films and Rob Bath, and will handle the film’s release in various international territories, including South Africa, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Australia. Palisades Park Pictures, led by CEO Tamara Birkemoe and supported by Ashland Hill, is managing international sales at the Cannes Film Festival. Flynn is represented by United Agents, CAA, and Public Eye.
