Previously unknown stories about the late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott will come to life on the big screen in the upcoming film The Kid From Harvest Road, which is currently in development. Set in Fremantle, Australia in the 1960s, The Kid From Harvest Road will chronicle Scott’s earlier life and everything that led to him becoming the frontman of the biggest rock bands to come from Australia: AC/DC.
Written by Stephen Belowsky and David Vincent Smith and produced by Tim Duffy, Ian Hale, and Nicko Mezzino, with Halo Films and Protocol Pictures, The Kid From Harvest Road was also approved by the Scott Estate.
“I was truly inspired by his [Scott’s] charismatic character,” said Belowsky, who described the film as “a love letter to Fremantle and Bon reimagined through the eyes of the author.” He added, “But what interested me most was his early life, not the caricature we all know on stage.”
Hale added, “We are thrilled to embark on this journey to illuminate the early years of Bon Scott,” said Hale. “His story is one of resilience, passion, and the relentless pursuit of his dreams. Through this film, we aim to honor his legacy and inspire audiences with the transformative power of music and determination.”
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In September of 1974, Scott joined AC/DC and replaced original singer Dave Evans. He first met the band while chauffeuring them around to gigs. “This was the first band I worked with,” said Scott in 1976. “They knew I was sort of a screamer and they knew I was out of work and they hated the guy they had singing for them then, so they offered me a job. I always knew I was something other than a worker.”
Scott fronted AC/DC through seven albums including their final with him, Highway to Hell in 1979. A year later, Scott died on February 19, 1980, from alcohol poisoning at the age of 33. AC/DC later regrouped to record Back in Black with new singer Brian Johnson.
Though more details about the Scott film are unknown, here are three things to know about the project, at this stage in development.
1. It’s Not a Biopic
Producers behind the film said The Kid From Harvest Road is not a biopic, but more of a “fictionalized narrative” around Scott’s earlier life in Fremantle. “‘The Kid From Harvest Road’ is a project that aims to capture the essence of Bon Scott’s early life in Fremantle in a fictionalized narrative set in the 1960s,” read a statement from the producers of the film from March 2024. “By drawing inspiration from the stories and atmosphere of the time period, rather than attempting a biopic, the film can offer a more imaginative exploration of Scott’s character and experiences.”
The statement continued, “Focusing on his formative years in Fremantle allows for a deeper dive into the influences and events that shaped him as a person and ultimately as the iconic frontman of AC/DC. It also provides an opportunity to explore the cultural landscape of the time, including the burgeoning music scene and social dynamics of the era.
Through careful storytelling and attention to detail, The Kid From Harvest Road can offer viewers a reimagined glimpse into the life of a young Bon Scott, while also capturing the spirit of the times in which he lived. It’s an approach that allows for creative interpretation while still honoring the essence of Scott’s journey.”
[RELATED: 4 AC/DC Classics Written by Bon Scott]
2. Lee Tiger Halley Will Play Bon Scott
A native of Fremantle, Australia, 18-year-old Lee Tiger Halley, who stars as Gus Bell in the Netflix coming-of-age series Boy Swallows Universe, has been cast to play Scott in the film. Lee spent time at the John Curtin College of the Arts, where he studied drama during high school, according to IMDB, with an emphasis on theory and performing. Lee has also performed on stage and starred on television, and in short films.
3. Production Starts in 2025
The film is currently in development in Western Australia and production is expected to begin in early 2025 with the film released at a later date.
Photo: Fin Costello/Redferns
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