WASHINGTON — Billy Joel said the upcoming biopic about his life, titled "Billy & Me," is moving forward without his authorization or support. A representative for the singer said he is not involved with the project, which is set to begin filming this fall.

"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." a spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that since 2021, the parties involved have been officially notified that they do not possess Joel's life rights and will not be able to secure the music rights required for the project.

The film, listed in pre-production on IMDb, will focus on Joel's origin story before fame and before his hit "Piano Man." The screenwriter said the film never intended to use Joel's hits and instead focuses on the people and relationships surrounding the musician during that period. The story is told primarily through the point of view of Irwin Mazur, who discovered Joel as a teenager and managed him for approximately seven years in the years before the 1973 release of "Piano Man."

John Ottman is set to direct, and Adam Ripp is writing the screenplay and producing the film under his ArtPhyl Pictures banner. The production has secured Mazur's exclusive life rights, as well as those of Jon Small, who is on board as a consultant, co-executive producer and second unit director. Casting is underway, with production slated for this fall in Winnipeg, Canada and New York.

Small was Joel's drummer in their early band the Hassles and in Attila, a duo that released an album in 1970. Joel described the Attila album as "psychedelic bullshit."

"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." Small said. "As someone who was there from the very beginning, I can say this script captures not just the music, but the friendships, struggles, humor, and creative spark that defined those years."

Financing is being assembled by Jay Cohen, former Partner and Head of Film Finance and Distribution at the Gersh Agency, who is also representing domestic distribution. Mitchell Leib, who spent nearly three decades as President of Music and Soundtracks at The Walt Disney Studios, is serving as executive music producer. The film follows the two-part 2025 HBO documentary on the singer, "And So It Goes."