Billy Joel is making it crystal clear that he wants no part of an upcoming movie based on his early career.
The legendary singer-songwriter has publicly rejected plans for Billy & Me, a biopic currently in development that aims to explore his rise in the music industry through the perspective of his first manager, Irwin Mazur. While the filmmakers are pushing forward with production plans, Joel’s camp says the project lacks the legal rights needed to fully tell his story.
Representatives for Joel stated that the production does not have permission to use his life rights or his music catalog, adding that the filmmakers were informed of that situation several years ago. Joel has not endorsed the movie in any way, setting up a potentially messy clash between artistic storytelling and legal limitations.
Despite the opposition, the project continues to gain momentum behind the scenes. Director John Ottman, known for his work on major music-centered films, is attached to helm the feature, while writer and producer Adam Ripp says the movie was never intended to rely on Joel’s famous songs. Instead, the film is expected to focus on the relationships and personal struggles surrounding Joel during his earliest years as a working musician.
The production has secured the life rights of Mazur as well as Jon Small, Joel’s longtime friend and former bandmate. Small has strongly supported the project, describing it as an honest look at the future superstar before worldwide fame transformed his life.
That period of Joel’s career remains one of the most fascinating chapters in rock history. Before sold-out arenas and Madison Square Garden residencies, Joel was navigating failed bands, industry setbacks, and complicated personal relationships while trying to establish himself in New York’s music scene.
Still, creating a music biopic without access to the artist’s songs presents a major challenge. Joel’s catalog includes some of the most recognizable tracks in popular music history, and fans may question whether a film can truly capture his rise without them.
The timing of the controversy is especially notable because Joel only recently opened up extensively in the HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes, an authorized project that gave audiences a much deeper and more personal look into his career, relationships, and struggles.
Whether Billy & Me ultimately reaches theaters or faces legal complications, the situation has already sparked conversation throughout the entertainment industry about who controls a public figure’s legacy and how far filmmakers can go without official approval.
