Biopic Dreams? Justin Hawkins Thinks Cillian Murphy Could Play Him—But There’s a Catch

From his basement studio in rural Switzerland, Justin Hawkins, frontman of the iconic rock band The Darkness, has been reflecting on a career that’s taken many unexpected turns. Known for his flamboyant stage persona and remarkable vocal range, Hawkins has not only carved out a place for himself in the rock world but also become a popular YouTube personality with nearly 600,000 subscribers. Yet, it’s not just his music that has been keeping him busy. Recently, he’s taken up snowboarding and even ventured into the world of acting, providing voices for the 2023 release Caligula: The Ultimate Cut.

Despite these new ventures, Hawkins remains true to his roots in rock music. The Darkness recently released their eighth album, Dreams on Toast, marking 25 years since the band’s formation. Reflecting on the band’s early days, Hawkins confesses that their debut album, Permission to Land (2003), made a major impact thanks to the infectious energy of hits like “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” Yet, Hawkins admits that the timing wasn’t ideal: “We just felt like we were born in the wrong decade. If we’d done Permission to Land in the late ’70s, we’d probably be one of the biggest bands of all time,” he says.

The Darkness has had its share of “fallow periods,” with Hawkins’ own battle with addiction leading to a five-year hiatus. But after returning in 2011, the band found its footing once again. As Hawkins describes, the creative process for Dreams on Toast was intense but rewarding: “We’re really arguing about every note and it’s proper collaborative fire — it’s really exciting.” Now, the band has reached a point where their dynamics are stronger than ever.

“On this record, we’re finally at the point where we’re not conflict-shy with each other,” he adds. “We’re really arguing about every note and it’s proper collaborative fire — it’s really exciting.”

But it’s not just the band’s own journey that’s been on Hawkins’ mind. As he sat back and reflected on their place in the music industry, he couldn’t help but acknowledge a surprising moment of success — a moment that came courtesy of Taylor Swift.

When Swift danced to “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” at the 2023 US Open, the song experienced a massive resurgence. Hawkins himself humorously commented, “Some people were saying things like, ‘I wish Taylor Swift would dance to one of my songs at the US Open.’ And I was like, ‘Well, you write a f**king world-beating rock song then.’” The result was a career high for the band: “Taylor Swift gave us the highest chart position we’ve ever had, 21 years after the song came out,” Hawkins proudly states.

This unexpected moment is just one of the reasons why Dreams on Toast feels like a new chapter for The Darkness. While the album stays true to their rock roots, it also features some surprising shifts in sound, with tracks like Hot on My Tail leaning into a folksy country vibe, and Don’t Need Sunshine and The Longest Kiss evoking the lush, melodic textures of ELO and Paul McCartney.

For Hawkins, Dreams on Toast is an album that feels liberating. “It’s an art project now,” he says with a grin. “We can do whatever the fk we want. And for the first time since the first album, we’ve got that sense of ‘Fk off! This is what we do, and if you don’t like it, you can f**k off.’” Hawkins seems to relish this newfound creative freedom and is confident that their fans will appreciate the results.

With a successful album, newfound personal happiness, and an unexpected career boost from Swift, it’s clear that Justin Hawkins and The Darkness are poised for even greater things. As Hawkins himself puts it, “This is some of our strongest material.” And with a rock-solid sense of self, he’s ready to take on whatever comes next.