A new biopic about legendary musician Billy Joel is in the making, but surprisingly, Joel himself is not on board. He has criticized the film as “legally and professionally misguided.”
Directed by John Ottman and written by Adam Ripp, Billy & Me aims to depict Joel’s early years. It draws on the life rights of Irwin Mazur, Joel’s former manager, and Jon Small, a close friend. However, Joel’s representatives have made it clear that the filmmakers do not have his rights to tell his story.
According to a statement, Joel has informed the team multiple times since 2021 that they lack his support and cannot secure the necessary music rights. This raises questions about whether the filmmakers initially hoped for Joel’s collaboration or always intended to move forward without it.
The focus of Billy & Me is on Joel’s life before fame—especially his time performing with a band called The Hassles. Ripp has emphasized that the film won’t rely on Joel’s iconic songs but will highlight the relationships and challenges that shaped him as an artist. He mentioned that they hold exclusive life rights to Mazur and Small, who play key roles in the narrative.
As the film unfolds Joel’s journey, it offers a glimpse into the world of a young artist before he became a household name. The story aims to capture both the struggles and triumphs experienced during those formative years.
While the project has stirred up some controversy, it also speaks to a growing trend in cinema: showcasing the untold stories of musicians. Biopics have become a popular genre, bringing to light the struggles and successes of various artists.
In 2021, a survey revealed that 79% of viewers enjoy biographical films, reflecting a strong audience interest in real-life stories. As the film draws closer to release, it will be interesting to see how fans of Billy Joel react, especially given the ongoing conversation about artistic rights and representation in film.
For more developments on this film, you can check out Variety’s coverage.
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Billy Joel,John Ottman
