Billy Joel Biopic ‘Billy and Me’ in the Works From Director John Ottman (EXCLUSIVE)

Editor and director John Ottman has signed on to helm “Billy & Me,” a new feature film that explores the early life of music icon Billy Joel. The movie delves into Joel’s journey before he achieved global fame, focusing on the years prior to the release of his breakthrough 1973 song and album “Piano Man,” which catapulted him into stardom. Ottman, known for his editing work on major studio projects, including the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” brings a wealth of post-production experience to the director’s chair. His recent credits include overseeing creative aspects like shaping performances and directing ADR, making him a versatile choice for this biographical project.

The narrative of “Billy & Me” is framed through the perspective of Irwin Mazur, Joel’s first manager, who discovered the singer in 1966, signed him in 1970, and guided his career until his pivotal deal with Columbia Records in 1972. Casting is currently in progress, with production scheduled to begin this fall in Winnipeg, Canada, and New York City. This film follows the two-part 2025 HBO documentary “And So It Goes,” which also covered Joel’s life. The production team has secured exclusive life rights from Mazur, as well as from Jon Small, Joel’s original drummer, video director, and lifelong friend. Small, who played with Joel in the early bands the Hassles and the short-lived acid-rock duo Attila, will serve as a consultant, co-executive producer, and second unit director. Attila, which released a 1970 album Joel has described as “psychedelic bullshit,” represents a stark contrast to the singer’s later work. Small’s involvement adds a layer of authenticity, as he offers firsthand insight into Joel’s formative years.

Filmmaker Adam Ripp, who wrote the script under his ArtPhyl Pictures banner, will also produce the film. In a statement, Small emphasized the project’s commitment to truth, saying, “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. ‘Billy & Me’ is grounded in truth, shaped with care, and built with the insight of people who genuinely know and love Billy.” He added, “Too often, stories about artists get lost in exaggeration or mythmaking. ‘Billy & Me’ reflects the real history with integrity and respect.” Ottman echoed this sentiment, noting, “I’m really proud of the development work Adam Ripp and I did to shape ‘Billy & Me’ into both a deeply emotional and fun story. This is the formative years of Billy and his relationship with Irwin Mazur, the man who recognized Billy’s amazing talent even before Billy did himself.” He continued, “It’s funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately very inspiring.” The director also highlighted the period’s aesthetic, including long hair and cigarette smoke, as a draw for him as a filmmaker.

Financing for the project is being orchestrated by Jay Cohen, former Partner and Head of Film Finance and Distribution at the Gersh Agency, who is also handling domestic distribution. The executive music producer is Mitchell Leib, a Grammy-nominated music executive who spent nearly 30 years as President of Music and Soundtracks at The Walt Disney Studios. His expertise in music integration is expected to enhance the film’s soundtrack, which will likely feature Joel’s early work. Ottman is represented by David Gersh and Abram Nalibotsky at the Gersh Agency, while Ripp is represented by Trevor Engelson at Underground. Additional reporting was contributed by Jem Aswad. The project aims to capture the raw, unpolished essence of Joel’s rise, offering fans a deeper understanding of the man behind the music.