Billy Joel’s Rep Says Forthcoming Biopic Lacks Authorization

A new Billy Joel biopic has been announced without the singer’s approval. The film, titled Billy & Me, focuses on Joel’s formative years before his solo breakthrough. John Ottman will direct, and casting is underway for a fall 2026 shoot in Canada and New York.

Billy Joel’s spokesperson told Rolling Stone that the singer 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 said, calling any attempt to move forward “legally and professionally misguided.”

The production takes a different route. Billy & Me is told through the eyes of Irwin Mazur, Joel’s first manager, who discovered him in 1966 and signed him in 1970. Ottman says they hold exclusive life rights to Mazur, and the film will not use Joel’s original music. The story covers his time performing covers with the band The Hassles and searching for an artistic identity.

Joel’s longtime friend Jon Small, a drummer and video director, has also sold his life rights and will serve as consultant and co-executive producer. Small said the script “reflects the real history with integrity and respect.”

Adam Ripp is writing the screenplay through ArtPhyl Pictures. The biopic enters an already crowded field of music films, but it arrives with a clear boundary: the subject himself wants no part of it.