Yoko Ono Producing John Lennon Love Story Film

Yoko Ono is producing a film that will explore her complex relationship with John Lennon, documenting the couple’s love story and anti-war causes. Anthony McCarten (Theory of Everything) will write the as-yet-untitled movie, and Michael De Luca (The Social Network, Moneyball, Captain Phillips) and Immersive Pictures’ Josh Bratman will co-produce, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In a statement, De Luca said the plot will “focus on ripe and relevant themes of love, courage and activism in the U.S. ”“ with the intention of inspiring today’s youth to stand up for and have a clear vision for the world they want.”

Lennon and Ono first met in November 1966 as the latter prepared to open an art exhibit, Unfinished Paintings and Objects, in the basement of London’s Indica Bookshop. At that point, the Beatle was still married to his first wife, Cynthia; they filed for divorced in August 1968, and Lennon married Ono the following March. 

During their 11-year marriage, the couple collaborated on multiple creative projects, including Lennon’s solo musical swan song, 1980’s Double Fantasy. Throughout their relationship, Lennon felt they had a responsibility “to produce peace,” as he told Rolling Stone in 1971.

McCarten also wrote the Winston Churchill biopic Darkest Hour, which stars Gary Oldman and hits theaters November 24th. He also authored Bohemian Rhapsody, the long-in-the-works Freddie Mercury biopic starring Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek as the Queen frontman.