Billy Joel is about to get a biopic.
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PEOPLE reports that casting is underway for Billy and Me. The film will focus on the early years of the Piano Man.
What Will the Billy Joel Biopic Be About?
Much like Baz Luhrmann's 2022 film Elvis, this film about Joel will be told from the perspective of his first manager. Irwin Mazur discovered Joel and worked with him up until his breakout hit, 1973's "Piano Man."
The film is scheduled to be filmed in the fall. It will be directed by 61-year-old John Ottman, who edited the award-winning Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. The script will be by Adam Ripp.
Ripp and Ottman have the exclusive life rights to Mazur and drummer Jon Small, who is also Joel's longtime friend. Small is also the ex-husband of Joel's first wife, Elizabeth Weber, with whom Joel was married from 1973 to 1982.
"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," Small said in a statement. "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."
Small added, "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."
Does Joel Approve of the Film?
Joel has reportedly not authorized or approved the project. However, Small shared that the film will be "built with the insight of people who genuinely know and love Billy."
Additionally, Ottman said the biopic will be "a deeply emotional and fun story."
The director adds, "Sure, the long hair, cigarette smoke and authentic look of the period turns me on as a filmmaker, but what truly drew me to the material was the humanity at its core."
Last year, Joel shared that he had been diagnosed with the rare brain disorder normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).
"He's doing physical therapy regularly," said his daughter at the time. "I'm so proud of him. He's such a trooper, so resilient and committed to being healthy and proactive. He's a fighter."
