A biopic on Billy Joel's early years titled 'Billy and Me,' told from the viewpoint of his early manager, is on the way from director John Ottman.
‘Run Amok’ and Stanley Tucci’s ‘Big Night’ Among New Jersey’s Lighthouse Film Festival’s Line-Up – Film News in Brief“Billy & Me” tells the origin story of Joel before fame, before the hits — and, significantly, before “Piano Man,” the 1973 song and album that lofted him to stardom.
The film is told through the eyes of Joel’s first manager, Irwin Mazur, who discovered the singer in 1966, signed him in 1970 and oversaw his career up to his breakthrough deal with Columbia Records in 1972. Stephen Colbert to Host Wrap Party Following Final ‘Late Show’ Taping With ‘Fired and Festive’ Dress Code LGBTQ Body Horror ‘Four Itchy Boys’ Trailer Terrifies With Bloody Scratching: ‘It’s a Story That Will Get Under Your Skin’ Casting is currently underway, with production slated for this fall in Winnipeg, Canada and New York.
The film follows the two-partThe production has secured Mazur’s exclusive life rights, as well as those of Joel’s longtime friend, drummer and video director Jon Small, who is also on board as a consultant, co-executive producer and second unit director. Small was Joel’s drummer in their early band the Hassles, as well ascomprised of him and Joel that released an album in 1970.
That album is deeply incongruous with the singer’s other work — Joel has described it in no uncertain terms as “psychedelic bullshit. ” It is also unclear whether Joel’s first wife Elizabeth Weber will be portrayed in the film. She was married to Small and left him for Joel, leading to the breakup of Attila and, as he discussed in “And So It Goes.
” Small rushed him to the hospital after the second, saving his life, and the two reconciled.and oversaw all creative aspects of post production, including shaping performances, directing ADR, and supervising the final mix. Filmmaker Adam Ripp is set to write the script and will produce the film under his ArtPhyl Pictures banner.
Small says, “This is 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 continues, “Too often, stories about artists get lost in exaggeration or mythmaking.
‘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. ” Ottman says, “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.
This is 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 turns me on as a film-maker, but what truly drew me to the material was the humanity at its core. ” Ottman added, “It’s funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately very inspiring.
” Financing is being assembled by Jay Cohen, former Partner and Head of Film Finance and Distribution at the Gersh Agency, who is also representing domestic distribution. The film’s executive music producer is Grammy Award nominated music executive Mitchell Leib, who spent nearly three decades as President of Music and Soundtracks at The Walt Disney Studios. Ottman is represented by David Gersh and Abram Nalibotsky at the Gersh Agency. Ripp is represented by Trevor Engelson at Underground.
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