As the world awaits “Gladiator 2” to hit theaters on November 22, Ridley Scott already has another project he’s in talks to direct. And it’s not exactly what audiences expect from the director either. Deadline reports that Scott is in final negotiations to direct a biopic about the popular disco group the Bee Gees for Paramount. Scott will also produce with Michael Pruss through his Scott Free Banner if the deal goes through.
A Bee Gees biopic for Scott, in the vein of “Bohemian Rhapsody“? It’s not the director’s usual forte, but it’s common for Scott to sign onto a new project shortly after he wraps whatever he’s currently shooting. Production on “Gladiator 2” finished last month, which prompted Paramount to get a new draft of their Bee Gees film over to Scott for persual. Apparently, Scott likes it enough to direct, but bear in mind, talks between him and the studio are far from over.
Here’s what else we know about the biopic: “Gladiator” and “Alien: Covenant” scribe John Logan pens the script, with Bee Gees member Barry Gibb executive producing. Amblin and Sister have rights to co-finance the film with Paramount distributing it worldwide. Other producers on the film besides potentially Scott and Pruss include Graham King through GK Films and Stacey Snider.
It’s worth noting that Logan also pens the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic “Michael,” so there’s an appetite for musical biopics in Hollywood at the moment. But Paramount has had their eyes on a Gibbs brothers movie for several years now. After “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a smash hit for 20th Century Studios, Paramount snatched up the life rights to the Gibb family estate in 2019, as well as the rights to the Bee Gees’ discography. And that makes sense, given “Saturday Night Fever” was such a hit for the studio back in the late ’70s. That film, featuring music by the Bee Gees,” was a cultural senstation, eventually earning the group five Grammys including Album Of The Year. Without that film or the Bee Gees’ songs, disco wouldn’t have soared the way it did, so Paramount obviously sees money to be made on this project.
Another interesting tidbit: Scott nearly worked with the Gibb brothers on a potential feature film when the director was first starting his career. Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood wanted Scott to direct Barry, Robin, and Maurice in the medieval film “Castle Accident” before plans fell through. Scott went on to direct “The Duellists” as his feature debut instead, and the respective careers of director and music group took sharply different turns. Scott soon made “Alien,” becoming one of the most in-demand directors in Hollywood, while the Bee Gees’ popularity tanked after a cultural backlash against disco and its sound.
As for the Gibb brothers, Barry remains the only one still alive. Maurice passed away in January 2003, with Robin also dying three years after he and Barry reformed the band in 2009. As noted earlier, Barry will serve a executive producer on the film.
If Scott directs this film, it’ll be a full-circle moment for him, returning him to the cultural period when he first started as a filmmaker. Stay tuned if Scott indeed makes this his next feature.
