David Bowie has rubbished rumours that he has given permission for a musical version of his 1976 film The Man Who Fell To Earth.
The Sun newspaper had claimed on Saturday that a version of the cult sci-fi film The Man Who Fell To Earth was planned for the West End after Bowie gave his blessing for work to begin on the project.
According to a source quoted by the newspaper the involvement of director Peter Schaufuss had swung the Thin White Duke's decision.
But when questioned about the tabloid reports, Bowie said the story was "absolute toss".
"I have no idea who Peter Schaufuss is either," he added.
And a statement released by the Ziggy Stardust legend's record company RZO Music said the label had licensed "absolutely no material written by Mr Bowie to Schaufuss".
"We have never been requested to and we do not intend to," they explained.
Nic Roeg's film adaptation of Walter Tevis' novel starred Bowie as Thomas Jerome Newton, a humanoid alien who comes to the Earth in search of water to save his ailing home planet.
But the RZO statement said the company had "first hand knowledge" that the Walter Tevis estate has not licensed the musical rights to The Man Who Fell To Earth to Danish impresario Schaufuss.
"Further, the advertising for this production appears to be utilising an unauthorised name and likeness of Mr. Bowie and we will seek injunctions, if necessary, to stop their use," it added.
It appears unlikely that Bowie's hits will be joining other music-inspired shows such as Abba's Mamma Mia, Madness' Our House and Queen's We Will Rock You.
20/05/2008 12:05:55
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