Jack O’Connell’s Unplayed Role: The Shaun Ryder Biopic That Never Happened

Jack O’Connell stands among the most sought-after actors of his generation, sharing the spotlight with names like Austin Butler and Timothée Chalamet. At 35, O’Connell’s career is on a hot streak, especially after his standout performance in the vampire thriller Sinners. His journey to stardom, though, was anything but easy. Growing up, he faced legal troubles as a teenager, battled substance issues, and lost his father at a young age. A promising future in soccer was cut short by injury, pushing him toward acting. He credits school drama classes and even nights spent sleeping rough in London for helping him break into the industry.

Breakout Roles and Rising Fame

O’Connell’s latest project, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is set to hit theaters soon. Written by Alex Garland, this spin-off builds on last year’s third installment of the franchise, which received rave reviews. In that film, O’Connell played the chilling leader of the ruthless ‘Jimmys’ gang, a role that showcased his knack for intense, dark characters. His ability to embody such roles first caught attention in Eden Lake, a gritty thriller where he starred alongside Michael Fassbender. At just 18, O’Connell’s performance as a menacing youth earned him several industry awards. He continued to impress in the Michael Caine-led revenge film Harry Brown, further cementing his reputation as a powerhouse actor.

Over the years, O’Connell has proven his versatility across genres, leading to his first major starring role in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken in 2014. His portrayal of a prisoner of war earned him critical acclaim and award nominations, solidifying his place in Hollywood.

The Shaun Ryder Biopic That Wasn’t

One role that seemed tailor-made for O’Connell was that of Shaun Ryder, the iconic frontman of Happy Mondays, in the biopic Twisting My Melon. The script, written by Matt Greenhalgh—who, like Ryder, hails from Manchester—was ready to go, but the project was abruptly halted in 2024 due to creative disagreements. O’Connell spoke candidly about his admiration for Ryder, saying,

“Fucking hell, man, I was listening to his music as a kid. At 13, I used to DJ his music. What he did as a working-class lad from Manchester-slash-Salford it ’s colossal. He’s a working-class hero that people wrote off from the beginning. Even if you don’t have anything in common with him, there’s enough in his story to garner sympathy, to garner fascination. In a lot of ways, he’s one in a million.”

Ryder’s story is one of resilience. He went from working construction as a teen to forming Happy Mondays and releasing their first EP on Factory Records in 1985. The band became a driving force in the early ‘90s rave scene, but their wild lifestyle led to Ryder’s struggle with heroin addiction. He eventually got clean in the early 2000s and has stayed sober since.

O’Connell’s Connection to Manchester’s Music Scene

Though the Shaun Ryder biopic never materialized, O’Connell did get a chance to explore Manchester’s vibrant music culture in the 2011 film Weekender. The movie, set against the backdrop of the city’s 1990 club scene, didn’t fare well with critics, but it gave O’Connell a taste of the world Ryder helped shape. Despite the setbacks, O’Connell’s admiration for Ryder and his impact on British music remains clear.