Bee Gees fans slam 'monumentally bad idea' as divisive director for upcoming biopic announced

Bee Gees fans slam 'monumentally bad idea' as divisive director for upcoming biopic announced

Barry Gibb and Stephen Gibb sing I've Gotta Get A Message To You together

Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 16/02/2024

- 15:01

The man who'll helm the upcoming project for Paramount has been confirmed

Bee Gees fans are protective over the history of the band and many were divided when the news of a biopic of the band's career was first announced.

After Paramount Pictures most recent biopic Bob Marley: One Love hit cinemas, the production company is now turning its attention to the Bee Gees.


The sole surviving Bee Gees member Barry Gibb will executive produce the film alongside Penny Dreadful’s John Logan writing the script.

And now, according to Deadline, it's been confirmed that Alien and Napoleon filmmaker Ridley Scott will helm the project.

The group's connection to cinema began in 1960 when the band's long-term manager, Robert Stigwood, played a part in wanting the movie to be produced about the start of their career.

Unfortunately, the film never came to fruition but the desire to tell the story of the Gibb brothers has always remained – with Scott finally getting the chance 50 years later.

Bee Gees

Bee Gees formed in 1958 and quickly became a hot sensation

GETTY

Paramount recently obtained the life rights to the Gibb family estate in 2019 as well as the rights to the band's classic songs, meaning it could follow the template of the Oscar-nominated, Bohemian Rhapsody.

The news of the biopic has left some Bee Gees fans unsure of how they feel, with one X user commenting: “Ridley Scott films are so hit and miss. Wonder how this would turn out.”

“That’s a interesting choice for him and I think it’s a good story to tell for sure,” another added as a third penned: “Ridley Scott in 2000s was incredible and outstanding.

“Today, definitely not bad, but he is capable to do the best and or the worst. We will see.”

“That's an odd combo,” one unsure user noted before a fifth echoed: “What a monumentally bad idea.” (sic)

This type of film isn’t the usual style for Scott, but after wrapping up production for the Gladiator sequel, Scott was quick off the mark to get the ball rolling on the new project.

During their prime, the Bee Gees had worldwide sales of more than 220 million records, establishing them as one of the biggest-selling groups of all time.

The Gibb brothers began performing together in the late 1950s, but it wasn’t until they wrote their songs for the Saturday Night Fever album in 1977 they shot to stardom.

Bee Gees

Bee Gees fans were unsure of the biopic news

GETTY

Their legacy continues to this day, with a recent clip of Gibb performing on-stage with his son Stephen recently resurfacing and sparking joy among the fandom.

Meanwhile, Gibb has recently admitted he's contemplated selling his back catalog of music - fearing it will be a "burden" on his children once he dies.

His brothers, Maurice Gibb died suddenly in January 2003 at age 53, leaving the other two brothers to retire the group’s name before reforming in 2009. Robin died three years later at 62.

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