Billy Joel Denounces Unauthorized Biopic and Blocks Use of His Music

Billy Joel has criticized plans to make a movie about his life, saying he has not authorized the project and will not allow the use of his music.

Variety reports that casting is underway for "Billy & Me," directed by John Ottman. The film will focus on Joel's early career, told from the perspective of his former manager, Irwin Mazur.

Producers have secured the rights to Mazur's life story and those of Jon Small. Small played drums with Joel in the late 1960s band the Hassles before the two formed the group Attila. Attila disbanded after Joel began an affair with Small's wife. She later divorced Small and married Joel. In the documentary "And So It Goes," Joel described how the incident led him to attempt suicide, which left him in a coma for several days.

"I felt very, very guilty about it. They had a child. I felt like a homewrecker," Joel said in the film. "I was just in love with a woman and I got punched in the nose which I deserved. Jon was very upset. I was very upset."

It is not clear if "Billy & Me" will cover this period in detail, but Joel has made his position clear.

"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," a representative for Joel said in a statement to Variety.

"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 statement said.