Billy Joel rep slams unauthorized biopic as ‘legally misguided’, says film won’t secure music rights
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Billy Joel has slammed a biopic that’s underway, calling it “legally and professionally misguided”.
Editor and director John Ottman is reportedly behind the movie about the singer’s formative years, which will be told from the perspective of Joel’s first manager, Irwin Mazur, who worked with the singer from 1966 to 1972.
Billy Joel's biopic is being made with help of his friend Jon Small
Screenwriter Adam Ripp is also reportedly involved in the project, and the shooting is expected to begin in the fall, Variety reported on Tuesday, May 19.
Another person involved in the biopic is Joel’s longtime pal, Jon Small.
Billy Joel's rep says movie won't get singer's music rights
But Joel is not happy with it, as a representative of his said, “Since 2021, the parties involved have been officially notified that they do not possess Billy Joel’s life rights and will not be able to secure the music rights required for this project.”
“Billy Joel has not authorized or supported this project in any capacity, and any attempt to move forward without it would be both legally and professionally misguided,” they added.
Billy Joe's friend Jon Small says biopic is grounded in truth
But Small has called the upcoming biopic “the most honest, heartfelt, and authentic portrayal of Billy’s early life and rise to becoming one of the greatest musical voices of our time.”
“‘Billy & Me’ is grounded in truth, shaped with care, and built with the insight of people who genuinely know and love Billy. As someone who was there from the very beginning, I can say this script captures not just the music, but the friendships, struggles, humor, and creative spark that defined those years,” he stated.
Small also further added that mostly “stories about artists get lost in exaggeration or mythmaking”, but “‘Billy & Me’ reflects the real history with integrity and respect. I first met Billy when he was 16 years old, and after reading the script, I felt the filmmakers truly understood who he was before the world knew his name.”
John Ottman calls the biopic 'deeply emotional and fun story'
In addition, Ottman has also shown his excitement regarding the project despite the controversy.
“I’m really proud of the development work Adam Ripp and I did to shape ‘Billy & Me’ into both a deeply emotional and fun story,” he shared.
The film composer, 61, further explained that the movie is about “the formative years of Billy and his relationship with Irwin Mazur, the man who recognized Billy’s amazing talent even before Billy did himself. Sure, the long hair, cigarette smoke and authentic look of the period turn me on as a filmmaker, but what truly drew me to the material was the humanity at its core.”
“It’s funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately very inspiring,” Ottman added.
