Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne Biopic Still in Production at Sony
In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne's recent passing, Sony has confirmed that a biopic about the Prince of Darkness and his wife, Sharon, is still in the works.
As reported by Variety, Polygram Entertainment stated this week Sony’s Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne biopic is still moving forward. A representative for the company mentioned that “they’re currently in negotiations with a director, which could be confirmed very soon.”
Check out our selection of free stations streaming Ozzy Osbourne music at Live365.com.
In 2021, Sony announced it would be making a film based on the heavy metal icon's relationship with his wife and manager. The studio was developing it with Polygram Entertainment and Osbourne Media, the film and television arm of Universal Music Group and the Osbourne family’s media label, respectively. Sharon, as well as her and Ozzy’s children, Jack and Aimee Osbourne, were attached to produce alongside Polygram’s Michele Anthony and David Blackman and Sony’s Andrea Giannetti.
Lee Hall was attached to write the screenplay, fresh off the success of 2019’s Rocketman, where his script adapted Elton John’s life story for the screen. Polygram’s recent statement confirms Hall is still involved alongside the original producing team. Who the team is considering for director or when the selection will be announced remains under wraps.
Consequence reports that rather than being a movie about Ozzy’s full music career, the upcoming film would skip past his first tenure with Black Sabbath and pick up when he was fired from the band and began dating Sharon, who would eventually become his wife and manager. Ozzy told Rolling Stone in 2020, “From what I understand, it’s about Sharon and I and our relationship. It’s how we met, fell in love, and how we married. She’s my other half. She grew up a lot with me, and I grew up a lot with her.”
This project is the second professional attempt to adapt Ozzy and Sharon’s relationship to the big screen. Back in 1998, screenwriter Ryan Jaffe (This Is Happening, The Rocker) sought to produce a film based on Ozzy and Sharon’s relationship. “I was an assistant at Industry Entertainment, before the Osbournes even had a reality show,” Jaffe told Variety. “There was a ‘Behind The Music’ about Sharon and Ozzy, and I just thought it was the most amazing love story that I had ever seen. I tried to develop it as a producer. I got the blessing of my boss to pursue it and had several meetings with Sharon and Ozzy.” Unfortunately, the project never came to fruition. Years later, Jaffe wrote a screenplay for his Sharon and Ozzy story on spec. Titled Sharon, his script was featured on the 2018 Blacklist and was read by several producers and managers.
Sony’s film will include music from Black Sabbath as well as Ozzy’s solo career. The Osbourne family and Polygram Entertainment, which previously produced scripted and unscripted projects like The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?, Beastie Boys Story, The Go-Gos and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, presumably facilitated the film’s licensing rights to Ozzy’s music.
Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, due to a heart attack and complications with Parkinson's disease. His music - as well as clips from his reality show - have experienced a resurgence online following his death. He managed to perform one last triumphant final show with the original members of Black Sabbath just weeks before his end.
Check out our selection of free stations streaming Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne music at Live365.com.
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Article Image: Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne share a kiss at Ozzy's new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, back in 2002. (s_bukley via Depositphotos)