Would there be a New Order if there hadn't been a Joy Division?

A few days ago, I saw the movie "Control", and I loved it! I'm also a fan of both Joy Division and New Order. However, I remember that in one scene, the members of what would later be New Order were looking for a decent vocalist, and Ian Curtis offered his services. As many of you know, Ian Curtis committed suicide just before Joy Division were scheduled to make their first US tour, and later on, the surviving members formed New Order. The lead vocalist of New Order is Bernard Sumner. Sumner was the lead guitarist and keyboard and synth player of Joy Division. Since Sumner obviously has singing talent, why were the band looking for a vocalist when Ian Curtis offered his talents? Were they unable to land a recording contract before Curtis came along? Were they only able to land a recording contract after Curtis's death, thanks to the success of Joy Division? Are New Order more or less riding on Ian Curtis's coattails?