In the Works
A rep for the singer said that Joel "has not authorized or supported" the making of the John Ottman-directed film Billy & Me
A new biopic chronicling the early years of Billy Joel is officially in development, with editor and director John Ottman attached to helm the project. However, a spokesperson for the singer-songwriter said that Joel has not authorized the project.
“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,” the rep told Rolling Stone in a statement. “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.”
According to Variety, the film, titled Billy & Me, will explore Joel’s formative years before his breakthrough rise to fame in the 1970s, tracing the experiences and relationships that shaped one of America’s most enduring musical voices.
