Titled Billy and Me, the biopic about the ‘Uptown Girl’ singer Billy Joel is officially moving forward. However, the film is reportedly being made without the music icon’s approval. The biopic is set to explore the singer’s early career and struggles, long before he became a well-known name in the music industry. 

As of now, the project has sparked conversation after reports claimed that Joel does not support having his early struggles and journey to fame portrayed on screen.

Soon after the upcoming biopic, Billy and Me, was announced, a spokesperson for Billy Joel revealed that the project will not get the singer’s approval or the rights to his life story and music. The spokesperson explained the situation in a conversation with Variety. They further added that the parties involved with the biopic had already been informed of the issue long back in 2021.

“Billy Joel has not authorized or supported this project in any capacity, and any attempt to move forward without it would be both legally and professionally misguided,” the spokesperson said.

Interestingly, the biopic is still moving forward, and the director is currently searching for the cast. Production is expected to begin in Winnipeg and New York City. However, the film will reportedly be told from the perspective of Irwin Mazur and Jon Small. Mazur was Billy Joel’s first manager, who discovered him and helped propel him toward fame before the singer signed his deal with Columbia Records in 1972.

As for Jon Small, he is Joel’s longtime friend, drummer, and video director. As per Variety, director John Ottman and screenwriter Adam Ripp reportedly have the life rights to Mazur and Small. That may explain why the movie is being told through the perspective of the two men, both of whom were part of Joel’s personal and professional life. 

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Although the film still does not have Joel’s approval, people involved in the project have praised the script.

The biopic Billy and Me will explore the early years of Billy Joel’s life, relationships, and career. And two of the people who knew him during that time were Jon Small and Irwin Mazur. While speaking about the script, Small, who had known Joel since he was 16, praised the script and even described it as genuine.

“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 told Variety. 

Another important person in Billy Joel’s life was his former wife, Elizabeth Weber, who had previously been married to Jon Small. Weber was married to Joel from 1973 to 1982 and inspired several of his songs, including 'She's Always a Woman' and 'Just the Way You Are.' With several questions still unanswered, the movie is expected to move into production soon and attempt to shine a spotlight on the Piano Man, who gave the world hits like 'Uptown Girl' and continues to remain a music icon today.

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What do you think about Billy Joel opposing his biopic, Billy and Me? Share your take.