Get Ready to Dance: Everything We Know About the Upcoming Bee Gees Biopic
Following the immense success of recent music biopics like Rocketman (Elton John) and Bohemian Rhapsody (Freddie Mercury), a new film about the legendary Bee Gees is currently in production, promising to delve into the dramatic lives of the Gibb brothers. While the band has been the subject of high-profile documentaries such as The Joy of the Bee Gees (2014) and The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020), this new project aims to deliver the full narrative drama only a proper music biopic can provide.
What’s the Title?
Producers are reportedly keen on using one of the band’s iconic song titles that hasn’t been previously used for a film. This rules out obvious choices like Saturday Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, or How Can You Mend a Broken Heart. “Tragedy” was likely deemed too somber. The current working title is believed to be “You Should Be Dancing,” a fitting choice as the track, from their Children of the World album, marked the group’s significant shift into disco, topping the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number five in the UK.
Who’s Behind the Camera and Pen?
The journey to finding the right creative team has been complex. Initially, in March 2021, Oscar-winning actor and screenwriter Kenneth Branagh (Belfast) was set to direct, with Ben Elton (known for We Will Rock You and Tonight’s The Night musicals) as the writer.
However, a year later, the team changed. John Carney (Once, Sing Street) took over directorial duties, followed briefly by Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers) in late 2022. The writing reins then passed from Ben Elton to Tony Award-winning John Logan, a screenwriter with three Oscar nominations for films like Gladiator and Hugo.
The most significant development came in February 2024, with reports indicating that none other than Sir Ridley Scott was in talks to direct the film. Scott, whose diverse filmography includes epics like Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, and Napoleon, has a history with the Bee Gees’ longtime manager Robert Stigwood, and this project would reunite him with screenwriter John Logan after their successful collaboration on Gladiator.
Despite some recent shifts, with Scott stepping away briefly due to “deal” issues with the studio (as he told Kermode & Mayo’s Take podcast in November 2024, and GQ in January 2025, and Collider in May 2025), it’s understood that he is planning to return to the Bee Gees biopic in late 2025, all being well.
When Can We Expect It?
Given the changes in director and recent production updates, a release date for the Bee Gees film is still up in the air. While it was initially hoped for a 2024 release, that clearly didn’t happen. With Sir Ridley Scott reportedly planning to start work on the film in November 2025, a 2026 or even 2027 release date seems more likely.
What Will the Biopic Cover?
Specific plot details remain scarce, so it’s unclear whether the film will cover the entire Bee Gees story, focus on their meteoric rise to fame, or specifically highlight their disco heyday.
What is confirmed is that Barry Gibb, the sole surviving Bee Gee, is “very involved” in the project and will serve as an executive producer. Sir Ridley Scott has hinted at the film’s potential direction, stating he “liked the working-class side of the Bee Gees” and noting that “It’s all about competition with brothers… and then they lose Andy – Andy ODd at 30… it’s more about the gift than the luck, right?… It’s a fantastic story.” This suggests a focus on the brothers’ relationships, their humble beginnings, and the tragic losses they endured.
Who Will Play the Iconic Brothers?
Casting details for Barry, Robin, Maurice, and Andy Gibb are still under wraps. It’s also yet to be confirmed whether the actors cast will perform the Bee Gees’ classic songs themselves (like Taron Egerton in Rocketman), lip-sync to the original recordings, or a combination of methods.
At one point, Bradley Cooper was rumored to play Barry Gibb, a casting choice that would undoubtedly generate significant excitement. Sir Ridley Scott confirmed to Collider in May 2024 that he already has “footprints and handprints, or requests is a better way of putting it, on [who he wants to cast],” but he’s not yet at liberty to reveal names.
Which Songs Will Feature?
While a definitive soundtrack list hasn’t been released, it’s a safe bet that “You Should Be Dancing” is a locked-in inclusion given the working title. Fans can also anticipate hearing many of their greatest hits, likely including “Words,” “Night Fever,” “Tragedy,” “Stayin’ Alive,” and “How Deep Is Your Love?”
Trailer and Poster?
No trailer or official poster for the Bee Gees movie has been released yet. Fans will need to keep an eye out for these as production progresses.
The Bee Gees biopic is shaping up to be a highly anticipated film, promising to bring the captivating and often heartbreaking story of these musical titans to the big screen with the backing of a celebrated director and a personal touch from Barry Gibb himself. What aspects of the Bee Gees’ story are you most excited to see explored in the film?