Billy Joel Will Not Grant Rights to His Music, Likeness for Biopic

Billy Joel Says He's 'Not Involved' in 'Piano Man' Biopic: 'No Rights ... Will Be Granted'

A rep for Billy Joel confirms to PEOPLE that the musician "is not involved with" the in-the-works biopic film from Michael Jai White's Jaigantic Studios

Jen Juneau

and

Jeff Nelson

Published on March 11, 2022 01:15PM EST

Piano Man will have to be made without the blessing of its subject.

A rep for Billy Joel confirms to PEOPLE that the musician, 72, "is not involved with" the in-the-works Joel biopic from Michael Jai White's Jaigantic Studios.

"No rights in music, name/likeness or life story will be granted," the rep adds in their statement.

According to Variety, the film "will follow Joel's early years — from being discovered by Irwin Mazur, who managed the band The Hassles that Joel joined as a teenager, to his breakout performance in 1972 that captured the attention of Clive Davis."

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The publication further reported that Jaigantic secured "life rights" to Mazur, who served as Joel's music rep in the early 1970s, right before his "Piano Man" breakthrough.

Producers told Variety that the music needs for the biopic are "yet to be determined."

Adam Ripp, who is set to pen the screenplay and direct, said in a statement to Variety that the "Uptown Girl" singer "has been a part of my life since my father signed him to his record label when I was 4 years old."

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"His music is ingrained in my DNA and it's been a dream of mine as a filmmaker to explore and celebrate the untold story of how Billy Joel became the Piano Man," Ripp added.

Piano Man is the latest in a line of musician-related biopics to come out recently, or be in the works. Last year saw the release of the Andra Day-led United States vs. Billie Holiday, as well as Jennifer Hudson's Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.

Daniel Radcliffe recently wrapped filming WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story, while Austin Butler will appear as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, costarring Tom Hanks.