After the box-office triumphs of Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody, a new wave of music biopics has swept through Hollywood, bringing the lives of legendary artists to the big screen. The stories of Elton John and Freddie Mercury proved that audiences still crave the drama, passion, and emotion behind the music. Soon after came Baz Luhrmann’s dazzling Elvis, followed by Bob Dylan’s upcoming A Complete Unknown, and even Robbie Williams portrayed as a CGI monkey in his own surreal biopic.
Now, the spotlight is turning to one of the most influential bands in pop history: the Bee Gees.
While the Gibb brothers have already been celebrated in acclaimed documentaries such as The Joy of the Bee Gees (2014) and HBO’s The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020), fans know that nothing quite compares to the emotional pull of a full-scale dramatic biopic. A feature film promises not just facts, but feeling — the highs of fame, the pain of loss, and the complex bond of brothers who changed music forever.
After years of development twists and behind-the-scenes changes, the Bee Gees movie is finally taking shape.
A Title That Dances Around History
Producers appear eager to honor the band’s legendary catalog by choosing a title drawn from one of their iconic songs — while avoiding titles already used in previous films. That ruled out obvious candidates like Saturday Night Fever, Stayin’ Alive, and How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.
Even Tragedy was deemed a little too on the nose.
Instead, the project’s current working title is believed to be You Should Be Dancing, taken from the Bee Gees’ 1976 album Children of the World. The song marked the group’s bold leap into disco and became one of their defining hits, reaching number five in the UK and topping the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It’s a title that captures both the energy of their music and the era they helped define.
A Turbulent Journey Behind the Camera
If the Bee Gees’ career was full of twists and turns, so too has been the making of their biopic.
When the project was first announced in March 2021, Oscar-winner Sir Kenneth Branagh was attached as director, fresh from his success with Belfast. The screenplay was to be written by Ben Elton, the celebrated comedian and writer behind stage hits like We Will Rock You and Tonight’s the Night.
But just a year later, everything changed.
Branagh stepped away, replaced by John Carney, known for the music-driven films Once and Sing Street. Then came Lorene Scafaria (Hustlers) in late 2022 — though her involvement proved brief. Meanwhile, Ben Elton exited the project, and acclaimed screenwriter John Logan — with Oscar-nominated scripts for Gladiator, The Aviator, and Hugo — came on board.
Then, in February 2024, the project took a dramatic turn.
Industry reports revealed that Sir Ridley Scott, one of cinema’s most iconic directors, was in talks to helm the film. The man behind Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, and Napoleon would bring epic scale and emotional depth to the Bee Gees’ story. The collaboration would also reunite Scott with John Logan after their success on Gladiator.
It was a bold and exciting direction — but not without complications.
When Will the Bee Gees Film Be Released?
At one point, the film was expected as early as 2024. That, of course, never happened.
In November 2024, Scott revealed on Kermode & Mayo’s Take podcast that he had stepped away after disagreements with the studio.
“I was right up to the threshold of Bee Gees, and the studio changed the footprint,” he said. “I didn’t like it… they didn’t like the deal, so I stepped away.”
He instead moved on to shoot The Dog Stars for 20th Century Studios.
However, hope was soon restored. According to RJ Gibb, son of Robin Gibb and a key family member involved in the project, Scott is expected to return to the Bee Gees biopic in late 2025.
GQ reported in January 2025 that the film had already been written, cast, and scouted, with plans to begin shooting earlier in the year — suggesting a likely release sometime in 2026.
By May 2025, Scott confirmed he was aiming to start work on the film this November, hinting that the long journey may finally be nearing its destination.
What Story Will Be Told?
For now, details about the plot remain closely guarded. It’s unclear whether the film will cover the Bee Gees’ entire career — from their childhood beginnings in Australia, through their reinvention in disco, to later years marked by loss — or focus primarily on their 1970s peak.
What is certain is that Barry Gibb, the sole surviving brother, is “very involved” and will serve as an executive producer.
Scott has offered a glimpse of his vision:
“I liked the working-class side of the Bee Gees,” he said. “It’s all about competition with brothers… and then they lose Andy — Andy OD’d at 30… it’s more about the gift than the luck. It’s a fantastic story.”
It promises to be not just a tale of fame, but of family — of rivalry, unity, heartbreak, and extraordinary talent.
Who Will Play the Gibb Brothers?
Casting remains one of the biggest mysteries. No actors have yet been confirmed to portray Barry, Robin, Maurice, or their younger brother Andy Gibb.
There has been speculation that Bradley Cooper could play Barry — a rumor that thrilled fans — but nothing has been made official.
Scott has hinted that he already has his choices in mind.
“I’ve already got my requests,” he told Collider in May 2024. “But I can’t say who they are.”
Another question is how the music will be handled. Will the actors sing themselves, as Taron Egerton did in Rocketman? Lip-sync to originals, like in Sweet Dreams? Or follow a mixed approach, as in Bohemian Rhapsody? That, too, remains to be seen.
The Songs That Could Define the Film
While the soundtrack has not been announced, expectations are sky-high. With one of the richest catalogs in pop history, the Bee Gees’ music offers endless possibilities.
It seems safe to assume that “You Should Be Dancing” will feature prominently. Fans also expect classics like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Words,” and perhaps even “Tragedy.”
Whichever songs are chosen, they will carry not just melodies, but memories.
Waiting for the First Look
As of now, there is no trailer, poster, or official image for the Bee Gees biopic. But with production reportedly approaching, fans won’t have to wait much longer.
For a band whose harmonies defined generations and whose story is filled with both triumph and sorrow, the Bee Gees film promises to be more than just another biopic. It has the potential to be a powerful tribute — to brotherhood, to resilience, and to music that refuses to fade.
Until then, one thing is certain: when the lights finally come up, the world will once again be dancing to the story of the Bee Gees.