Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga dropped on Netflix on June 26th and has gained widespread international attention, topping Netflix’ most-watched films list in several countries including New Zealand, Russia and the United States. It’s even Will Ferrell’s most successful film since 2014.

Of course, Will Ferrell and his fellow actors aren’t the only people enjoying a bit of attention. There are plenty of cameos that have caught people’s eyes, from Eurovision singers like Netta and Conchita Wurst to Eurovision commentators like Graham Norton and our very own William Lee Adams. Amid all these Eurovision personalities, there was one very high-profile person missing from the credits: the 2019 champ and reigning Eurovision winner Duncan Laurence.

Why isn’t Duncan Laurence in the Eurovision movie?

After the film premiered on Friday, many eagle-eyed viewers wondered why Duncan didn’t make an appearance, especially since several other previous Eurovision stars took part, including Eurovision 2019 alum John Lundvik. Among the confused was Dutch Eurovision commentator Cornald Maas.

“I was surprised”, he said to Dutch media outlet BuzzE earlier this week. He suggested that producers would have been well-aware of who he was, even before he won the song contest. “Certainly because Duncan was number 1 with the bookies for a long time in advance and was a favourite for the final victory.”

As it turns out, producers at Netflix did offer Duncan a role. His manager confirmed that tidbit with BuzzE: “He was approached but it didn’t fit his schedule.”

And while Duncan left a big winner-shaped hole in the picture, there were plenty of other singers able to RSVP for the shoot.

Eurofans would have noticed an abundance of Eurovision royalty in the film, including former winners Netta (2018), Salvador Sobral (2017), Jamala (2016), Conchita Wurst (2014), Loreen (2012) and Alexander Rybak (2009). Salvador was the only star whose Eurovision song made the official soundtrack of the film. You’ll recall that “Amar Pelos Dois” was played early in the movie, as Lars & Sigrit arrive in Edinburgh.

Other singers who made it to set include John Lundvik (2019), Bilal Hassani (2019), Anna Odobescu (2019), Elina Nechayeva (2018) and Jessy Matador (2010).

Were you sad not to see Duncan? Would you have put him in the song-along or given him another appearance? Let us know down below!

65 Comments
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Anna
Anna
3 years ago

Mahmood should have been in the movie, he had the biggest impact in Esc 2019 and Soldi became an international hit

Lola
Lola
3 years ago

How Salvador agreed to participate in a trash movie? He always said that Eurovision is trash and bla bla bla..

Teddie
Teddie
3 years ago

Well thank god he wasn’t in the movie, can’t stand his stupid grin

Elsa
Elsa
3 years ago

I love that Amar pelos dois – the non-typical eurovision pop song – was chosen to be the only Eurovision song in the movie soundtrack.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Exactly!

Pontus
Pontus
3 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Salvador should have had a bigger role but he wanted more money then so he declined. A rumour.

maria
maria
3 years ago
Reply to  Pontus

Not exactly so. He signed a contract to do just this scene, but when he was on set, they asked him to do another scene (with dialogue), which was not on the contract, so he declined.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  maria

That seems pretty fair to me.

RavensHeart
RavensHeart
3 years ago

Something about winning Eurovison makes people so arrogant.

Jamala thinks she gets to be judge jury and executioner in deciding who’s patriotic enough to fly the flag. Salvador Sobral had a seriously over inflated ego long before he arrived on stage (skipping rehearsals etc)

Then this guy is apparently too busy for a major hollywood movie and dont forget dumped his boyfriend as soon as he found fame thinking he could do so much better.

Netta and Mans are the only 2 recent winners to keep a level head.

Last edited 3 years ago by RavensHeart
Skiwalko
3 years ago
Reply to  RavensHeart

Agreed, not attending the initial rehearsals due to a serious life-threatening heart disease was SO selfish of Salvador.

Last edited 3 years ago by Skiwalko
Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

OK, wow, RavensHeart. If I may: Jamala wasn’t trying to do a patriotic smell-test, she was just preparing her for the fact that inevitably, she’d have to deal with questions like that when she landed in Tel Aviv, just like how every single contestant had to talk about performing in Israel. Remember the whole deal with Iveta and Samra? Or the Greek journalist badgering Kaliopi in 2012? Somebody would’ve totally asked a provocative question like that, especially given how she had plans to perform in Russia afterwards. No harm in wanting to be prepared, and she was very sorry for… Read more »

Azuro
Azuro
3 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

If you believe that you’ll believe anything.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Azuro

Salvador truthers are disgusting

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
3 years ago
Reply to  RavensHeart

As how I see it, the winners who participate in the movie are the ones who want attention, Duncan just wants to be himself and isn’t ego tripping about attention.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

I feel it’s worth pointing out that shoehorning in a ton of cameos wasn’t the ultimate goal of this movie. The ultimate goal was to tell a story, and the cameos are a little bonus for the fans. But, in classic fashion, some fans are never satisfied there either until every single Eurovision performer to ever exist is included somehow.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Not necessarily. Just a bit more reflective of the 63 year history would’ve been nice.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

It would’ve been, yes, but there’s only so much you can do before the story becomes secondary to the insider-baseball fan tidbits. It’s not a documentary. It’s a film that’s trying to also appeal to viewers in lots of countries with little to no knowledge of Eurovision, and broadly speaking, they get about as much info about the contest and its history in that they need to give context to everything happening in the movie. “Love Love Peace Peace” is more the kind of parody that both casual viewers and fans can enjoy equally (causal viewers for the obvious humor… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I don’t necessarily disagree with any of that. Still, I wasn’t being overly critical in expressing a casual thought…even some huge Eurovision fans may not recognize Anna Odobescu, especially with the passage of time…Bilal…it was still nice of them and a good effort. In my post way down below, I was really only referring to that one scene. I wouldn’t expect a documentary.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I was more just talking about that one song-a-long scene. A casual thought, that’s all.

Another comment will pop up probably because of the moderation thing.

Valentino
Valentino
3 years ago

They could have had Petra somewhere in the movie.

Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Valentino

Yeah, I missed her too.

Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Smit

But I’ve watched 3 seasons of her show Bonusfamiljen, which I can highly recommend. It’s on Netflix, if you have it.

Pontus
Pontus
3 years ago

If you say some words in here your comments will never be approved. Not bad words. For example when i wrote “black life matter”. No one of them was approved. When i did not use it they were approved

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Pontus

How is this relevant to Eurovision?

Pontus
Pontus
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Because some said in the comments that they have been moderated. If you read. So when you use words wiwwibloggs dont like you get that. I dont know why i got it for BLM but okey.

Milan
Milan
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Moderation on a Eurovision blog is relevant to Eurovision.

Last edited 3 years ago by Milan
Tajikistan
Tajikistan
3 years ago

I think he made the right decision

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
3 years ago
Reply to  Tajikistan

Yes indeed, Duncan wants to be busy with music, his passion, unlike the attention seeking “winners” who want to be a cameo in the movie.

srulik
srulik
3 years ago

He was approached and couldn’t do it, it’s o.k and he has a career to work on. I would ask why they didn’t approach a well known russian act like sergey/dima bilan or others. Would make an impact on eastern europe

Last edited 3 years ago by srulik
Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  srulik

Why would they ask Russians singers when the main character of the movie is RUSSIAN? Besides, Jamala was there so she kinda represented the region.

Lexi
Lexi
3 years ago

I think Måns was probably a bigger miss …

Generic Eurovision Fan
Generic Eurovision Fan
3 years ago

I still think Anna Odobescu was a random choice

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

That’s BS – they could’ve chosen someone memorable and iconic from Eastern Europe. Moldova doesn’t even have Netflix.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

If they want to pick someone from Moldova, the sax guy was the one to choose. Then, there are so many other eastern european countries.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

Amen! Thank you! Some fans here are too politically correct to admit it. We are not saying she is not a great person or singer. Of course she is!

But she is not an iconic ESC participant, she didn’t quality to the final and no one knows her apart from Moldovians and ESC fans.

No disrespect here – just stating facts. She’s stunning in the movie scene of course (she even has more camera time compared to Jamala!) but I wish they actually asked iconic contestants or/and previous winners that the viewers would recognise.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

Saying that Anna was the most charming of all is a joke. Elina was stunning and she made quite a statement with her Eurovision 2018 performance so it made sense to pick her as she hit that note in the movie scene.

Anna is sweet but there are a gazillion number of female artists who are charming and stunning and actually made an impact and took part in the final.

Bob
Bob
3 years ago

Anna is lovely and talented but I agree, her Eurovision performance wasn’t memorable enough to place her as an artist on the same shelf of ESC-history as some of the other performers featured in the film. But this could be argued about all the 2019 contestants, in a way. Of course Swedens John Lundvik was part of the climax of the 2019 show, so he is somewhat memorable. And Bilal Hassani gave that touching performance, so he is memorable for me at least. But I can’t even hum Anna’s song…

Peter
Peter
3 years ago

The dude clearly does not have his priorities in order. Refusing exposure to the world?!? It seems like he is losing it. In the Dutch press he said he also wants to write children’s books. He seems to have time for that …

Pontus
Pontus
3 years ago
Reply to  Peter

your reaction is like a typical ignorant esc fan who dont know nothing about anything. Sad

Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  Peter

Filming for the movie took place in the middle of his European tour last year, so that would take priority over a short cameo role. Besides, he already got global exposure through his participation in the actual contest

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

Agree – and less Sobral, please. It’s so weird to see him taking more time in the movie and getting the chance to perform his song than other contestants who genuinely love the contest.

I believe the director and/or Ferell really liked his song, that would explain the special treatment to an artist who’s not appreciating Eurovision.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

not sure why my comment was not approved but it is such a shame he was not part of it. i don’t know what kept him so busy enough not to be able to fly to London for max 3 days to shoot this scene. Maybe, he didn’t feel like a good fit or did not want to be associated with it as it was too cheese/camp and Duncan is more like a class act. Also, disappointing that ESC participants without impact were chosen like Hassani, Ludvik and Odobescu (especially her!) are part of this scene and not previous iconic… Read more »

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

“participants without impact” really!? Maybe for you but don’t take your opinion for a generality my dear, respect Will Ferrell’s clever choices, and be respectful towards all participants. Keep complaining keep loosing your time but it would change nothing, it’s done and this scene is perfect as it is, all singers and performers are very good, iconic,and they have all the right to be there, not their fault if some others participants and winners are too pretentious to accept to take part of it….. they have lost a good opportunity seeing the big success of the movie #Karma, then as… Read more »

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Of course they did a great job but if you ask the non-ESC fans, they won’t recognise them. That’s all i want to say. Plus, they are not exactly ‘iconic’ or ‘legendary’. Why is it so hard to admit it? That does not mean they are not talented or lovely people!!!

Denis
Denis
3 years ago

Man, must have been a slow week if this is considered news!
So he declined because he is busy, OK.. people have lives, no biggie!

RavensHeart
RavensHeart
3 years ago

No surprise from the arrogant jerk who dumped his boyfriend as soon as he found fame.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  RavensHeart

lol wft!!

Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  RavensHeart

They broke up because the relationship didn’t work out, not because Duncan got famous!

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

Guy was busy. What can you do?

Skiwalko
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

A bit off-topic, but once again, fantastic show and congrats to the rightful winners, Iceland! The audio wasn’t the best, and sadly we didn’t get to hear Dadi’s gorgeous voice at the end, but the Eurovision spirit was there, and that’s all that matters. You were a magnificent host and terrific scrutineer, and the respect and kindness with which you treated your jurors was truly admirable, chapeau bas! If I could help in any shape or form in organising the next potential edition (like with the artwork or the editing), I’d be more than glad to do so. And happy… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Skiwalko
Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Hey, thank you very much! I was worried about the audio based on how choppy the sound from the music video was through them and it stinks that it was apparently worse than I thought, but my headphones’ internal microphone sucks and I didn’t have the luggage space to take my Blue Snowball microphone all the way to Jersey, so it’ll have to do. If I go against my parents’ very vocal wishes and do this again next year (not like I’m not tempted, but I do still need to give it some time to mull over), I’m starting way… Read more »

Skiwalko
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

P.S. I didn’t know Katarina Lugavac was one of the jurors, I love her videos and she also makes really neat covers of Eurovision classics. And you got Louise from Eurovision Hub to vote as well, that’s so cool!

P.P.S. Will the semi results be ever revealed?

Last edited 3 years ago by Skiwalko
Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Btw did you notice something particularly interesting about Armenia’s vote? Check who Diana gave two points to…

Skiwalko
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Yep, I did notice that! It’s a bit disappointing that Azerbaijan didn’t give any points in return, but (surprisingly) Armenia finished dead last, so I guess that kinda justifies them. I definitely need to do an in-depth analysis of the voting when I get some time!

Last edited 3 years ago by Skiwalko
Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

I’ve found that historically Armenia is more willing to cooperate with Azerbaijan on things than vice versa, and that includes Eurovision (Armenia’s given them low marks twice, and were in fact willing to participate in Baku before safety concerns made them pull out. Heck, the televote last year put Azerbaijan 11th in the semi!). The other big surprises were nothing to Greece from Cyprus and only three to Romania from Moldova. Spain looked pretty set to finish last before the YouTube votes saved them. Armenia is a bit of a surprise – I thought it’d be France, but they wound… Read more »

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Semifinal results are up, BTW. I’ll save you some time and post them here. Semifinal 1: Sweden – 152 Malta – 135 Romania – 95 Norway – 95 Azerbaijan – 75 Israel – 69 Russia – 62 Lithuania – 59 Belgium – 53 Australia – 46 Ireland – 45 Slovenia – 41 Ukraine – 31 North Macedonia – 28 Cyprus – 27 Croatia – 24 Belarus – 7 Semifinal 2: Iceland – 169 Switzerland – 130 Austria – 100 Bulgaria – 94 Denmark – 93 Albania – 71 Greece – 64 Finland – 54 Poland – 54 Armenia – 42… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago

I would have liked a few more cameos beyond 2018/2019. Johnny Logan would have jumped at the chance. Maybe they just wanted the younger ones. Also a few more Eurovision songs during the song-a-long. Believe and Ray of Light have nothing to do with the contest, and this is the second Will Ferrell movie to feature Believe. He sang it in Land of the Lost!

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Also Duncan skipped the Songfestivalfeest back in December last year – he must have a busy schedule!

stommie
stommie
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

He had a concert in Oslo that evening.

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  stommie

Thanks. I never doubted that he was genuinely busy, sorry if I sounded sarcastic!

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

I agree. Logan would have been a logical choice considering he’s an iconic Eurovision artist. But maybe he didn’t fit with the ‘younger’ vibe of the scene, who knows.

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

So weird that he couldn’t spent 3-4 days in UK for a small cameo. It’s a pity since he is the most recent winner. Also, a pity Mans was not invited since he’s a successful ESC winner. Asking Ludvik, Matador, Hassani and Odobescu to be part of the movie was so random as they were not successful in Eurovision or memorable acts.. Matador’s entry was a hit but he’s barely popular now. I am sure some more recognised ESC participants from the past would have said yes, such as fan favourites like Eleni Foureira, Loic Nottet, Katrina, Johnny Logan, Saara… Read more »

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
3 years ago

Good on him for being too busy for that thing.

Maurice
Maurice
3 years ago

From the moment John, Bilal and Anna?!?! made cameos, Duncan and Mahmood also should have been in the film. I also would have loved to see Mans, Verka and of course Eleni Foureira (even though Mita Xenakis was a spitting image of her)….

Alex
Alex
3 years ago
Reply to  Maurice

Mahmood doesn’t know miuch about ESC and he wouldn’t be a good fit even though he was the most successful act from ESC19.

Eleni should’ve been there, and Will attended ESC18 so he noticed her for sure. What a shame.