Lynyrd Skynyrd Planning Autobiography, Biopic and Possible New Music

Lynyrd Skynyrd has plans for two major projects in 2026: the band's first official autobiography and a potential film about its history, according to manager Ross Schilling. The Southern rock group may also release new music.

Schilling said the band is working on its autobiography and is in discussions to create a biopic chronicling Skynyrd's early years, the 1977 plane crash that killed original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and two other band members, and the group's continued legacy under current frontman Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's brother.

"We have two or three big players interested in doing the official movie for the band," Schilling told Ultimate Classic Rock. "We think, obviously, the story is tremendous. There's probably not a better story out there in music, certainly in rock 'n' roll. We don't know if it will be a two-hour motion picture film or go to Netflix or somebody and do a six- or eight-episode series."

No cast, director or release date have been announced for the possible screen adaptation. Schilling said several biographies have been written about the "Sweet Home Alabama" band, but "none by the people that were closest to it and lived it."

Schilling, who has managed Lynyrd Skynyrd since 1999, recently left Vector Management to form King Duke Entertainment. He will continue to manage the group, its current frontman and the estates of the original members, the last of whom, Gary Rossington, died in 2023, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.

The band's 2026 plans also include a joint tour with Foreigner, with a concert scheduled for Aug. 23 at the Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York. Schilling also said the band's iconic song "Free Bird" will be featured in a Super Bowl commercial next month, and new music could be forthcoming.

Lynyrd Skynyrd last released an album, "Last of a Dyin' Breed," in 2012. Since then, the group has released one additional song, "Last of the Street Survivors," in 2020, written by Van Zant, guitarist Rickey Medlocke and Rossington.

"There's 30 songs that Johnny, Rickey and Gary wrote that are kind of sitting there that could be revisited and recorded at some point," Schilling told Ultimate Classic Rock. "Will they come out as Skynyrd music? I don't know. That has yet to be determined. If Rickey and Johnny want to (finish) them, maybe that'll happen, but right now there isn't a big plan to do that."

"None of us feel the story ended in 1977; it came back and it kept going, stronger, and still is," Schilling said.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, formed in the 1960s and released its debut album, "(Pronounced 'L h-'n rd 'Skin-'n rd)," in 1973. The band's hits include "Sweet Home Alabama," "Free Bird," "Gimme Three Steps" and "Tuesday's Gone."

Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the band's reformation, with Johnny Van Zant replacing his late brother Ronnie as lead vocalist. During the band's performance at the New York State Fair last year, Johnny Van Zant noted the multigenerational audience among the 33,000 attendees.

"I think we're four generations full," Van Zant said, observing younger audience members with parents, grandparents or great-grandparents. "You guys are the best fans in the world."