Daniel Johns To Release Semi-autobiographical Film: ‘Most Honest Thing I’ve Ever Done’

Silverchair legend Daniel Johns is continuing to expand his creative ventures, today announcing featurette What If The Future Never Happened?.

The semi-autobiographical visual work is slated to be a genre-bending piece that combines reality and fantasy.

It's set in 1994, months before a teenage rockstar named Daniel (played by Rasmus King) would conquer the global and national music world and become a star of a generation. Set in regional Australia, Daniel escapes the routine annoyance of local bullies, before a chance interaction with a mysterious figure changes his future forever.

The film is soundtracked by Daniel Johns' chart-topping solo album, FutureNever, interspersed with orchestral versions of Silverchair classics. 

On the trailer debut, Johns explained, “The FutureNever era for me is about defying convention and making ambitious art across all mediums. What If The Future Never Happened? is a grunge, sci-fi short adventure inspired by the pop culture I was immersed in before a curious case of child stardom.

"It’s at once the most honest and most fantastical thing I’ve ever done. I can’t wait for people to see it, but until then I hope the trailer gets people excited - it’s a hell of a trip.”

Back in March ahead of the release of FutureNever, Johns admitted himself to rehab, revealing that he has been “self-medicating with alcohol” to deal with “PTSD, anxiety and depression”.

He opened up on Instagram describing the troubles that he had been facing, “Alongside my therapy, I’ve been self-medicating with alcohol to deal with my PTSD, anxiety and depression. I know that this is not sustainable or healthy.

“I have to step back now as I’m self admitting to a rehabilitation centre and I don’t know how long I’ll be there. Appreciate your love and support as always.”

He also launched the charitable FutureNeverFund “to help create better futures for people and animals around the world”.