All articles tagged with #irwin mazur
Billy Joel has not authorized or supported the film Billy and Me, a pre-Piano Man biopic directed by John Ottman and shaped in part by his former manager Irwin Mazur’s perspective; despite ongoing casting and Joel’s drummer Jon Small’s involvement as a consultant, his representatives say proceeding without consent would be legally and professionally misguided, with the project focusing on the Hassles era and early songs.
Rolling Stone reports Billy Joel’s representative has not authorized or supported the Billy & Me biopic. The film, directed by John Ottman and framed around Joel’s early life via his first manager Irwin Mazur, faces music-rights hurdles and will reportedly not use Joel’s songs as it unfolds before his breakthrough. Joel’s camp says moving forward without life rights would be legally and professionally misguided, while Mahur’s perspective and other rights holders are involved; production is slated for fall 2026 in Canada and New York.
A Variety exclusive reports director John Ottman will helm Billy Joel’s early-life biopic Billy & Me, told through his first manager Irwin Mazur. Production is planned for fall in Winnipeg and New York, with Adam Ripp writing and Mazur’s life rights secured. Jon Small will consult; financing is being assembled by Jay Cohen, with Mitchell Leib as executive music producer. The film aims for a truthful, character-driven origin story, though Joel’s representatives haven’t commented and the portrayal of historical figures like Weber remains unclear.