Legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel has explicitly distanced himself from the upcoming biographical feature film Billy & Me, calling it a “misguided” project both legally and professionally. Joel’s representatives confirmed that the filmmakers do not have his approval, life rights, or music catalog, which legally prevents the use of his story or music in the film.
Directed by John Ottman and written by Adam Ripp, the film is based on Joel’s early career, focusing on the years before the release of his iconic 1973 album Piano Man. The story is presented through the perspective of Joel’s first manager, Irwin Mazur, who discovered him in 1966 and guided him until his breakthrough with Columbia Records in 1972.
Focus on Joel’s Early Life
The project has secured exclusive rights from Mazur and Joel’s longtime friend and former drummer Jon Small, who also worked with Joel in his early bands, The Hassles and Attila. Small is attached as a consultant, co-executive producer, and second unit director, offering insight into Joel’s formative years. These early bands were part of Joel’s experimentation with music, including acid-rock influences in the short-lived Attila album released in 1970—a period Joel himself described as “psychedelic bullshit.”
While the filmmakers aim to portray Joel’s personal and professional struggles authentically, the film will proceed without Joel’s consent, life rights, or music. Joel’s statement highlighted that any attempt to continue without approval is “legally and professionally misguided,” reinforcing his lack of support for the project.
Production Details and Cast
Casting for Billy & Me is underway, with production scheduled to begin in the fall across Winnipeg, Canada, and New York. The biopic will explore Joel’s early life, creative development, and complex relationships, including his first wife Elizabeth Weber, whose relationship with Joel contributed to tensions in his bands and challenging personal experiences, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
Jon Small emphasized the film’s authenticity, claiming that it captures the friendships, struggles, humour, and creative spark that defined Joel’s early career. Director John Ottman also praised the project’s emotional core, describing it as funny, heartbreaking, and inspiring, focusing on the humanity of Joel’s formative years rather than exaggeration or mythmaking.
Context and Legacy
Billy & Me follows HBO’s 2025 documentary And So It Goes, which explored Joel’s personal and professional journey. Unlike the documentary, this biopic lacks Joel’s direct involvement, raising ethical and legal concerns. Despite this, the filmmakers argue that the story provides a heartfelt portrayal of Joel’s early career and relationship with his first manager.
