exclusive: disney Original Documentary and Disney+ won the rights to a large feature documentary package, goodbye yellow brick road: Final Elton John Acting and making his legendary years. No one’s going to comment, but we hear the Oscar nominee’s papers RJ Cutler and the filmmaker (and longtime collaborator of Elton John) david furnituresold for about $30 million.
Personal Courtesy; Michael Buckner/Deadline
Intended as an official feature of Elton John, goodbye yellow brick road Includes unseen footage of his concerts over the past 50 years, handwritten diaries and modern footage of him and his family. The plan for the project is a festive event and a limited theatrical release, available exclusively on Disney+.
At the heart of the documentary is Elton John’s “Farewell to the Yellow Brick Road Trip,” as the film will capture Elton John’s final months on the road and in his final game at Dodger Stadium in November culminates in North American performances. We’ve heard that the package includes the right to live stream the final concert, which is shaping up to be one of the greatest send-offs in rock history.
goodbye yellow brick road will look back unprecedented During the first five years of John’s career, between 1970 and 1975, he released 10 hit albums, seven of which reached number one on the Billboard charts and became a global phenomenon.
“Elton John and his impact on music and culture are beyond the superlatives of adjectives—he’s simply unparalleled,” said Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Like a good Disney story, Elton’s music has both universal appeal and the ability to connect with audiences on a personal level. He has been part of the Disney family since 1994 when he helped produce lion king An instant classic, we are very excited to be working with him on this new documentary. “
With exclusive new interviews and performance footage from London’s Madison Square Garden and other performance venues, the film will be the definitive portrait of one of the world’s most successful musical artists of all time, who has inspired generations of audiences and musicians. In addition to directing, RJ Cutler will be producing the film under his Sony Pictures studio This Machine Filmworks, and Furnish will be producing under Rocket Entertainment, which he formed with Elton John. Trevor Smith will also serve as a producer. Joining as executive producers are John Battsek, Jane Cha Cutler and Elise Pearlstein.
“It has been a great honor to work with RJ Cutler and David Furnish on what will undoubtedly become a defining film about the iconic Elton John,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Brand Television. “Their incredible vision and commitment to exclusive , an intimate encounter with never-before-seen anecdotes and footage that will provide one of the most profound and fascinating insights to date for one of the world’s most sought-after and prolific artists.”
For Cutler, goodbye yellow brick road Follow another high-profile music documentary, Billie Eilish: The world is a bit blurry, It also sold to Apple TV+ in a big deal, believed to be around $25 million
“David Furnish and I have been able to create this intimate and unique perspective on one of the world’s most famous artists, how exciting and honored,” Cutler said. “As to many others, Elton John’s music has had a profound meaning for me for decades, and this opportunity has been nothing short of a career highlight and privilege.”
Furnish said: “Elton and I couldn’t think of a better collaborator than RJ Cutler, and this film represents not just Elton’s career but his life. From Troubadour to Dodger Stadium, we know RJ will help guide Elton’s story and its layers in a way that feels authentic and evocative. We’re excited to work together.”
Cutler is a four-time Emmy-nominated and Oscar-nominated feature film director, producer and screenwriter Billie Eilish: The world is a little fuzzy. His other feature documentary work includes being nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award Belushi, Oscar nomination war room, Emmy nominee a perfect candidate, Sundance Award Winner September issue, Peabody Award Winner and Oscar Finalist Listen to me Malone, Grierson Award Thin and Dick Cheney’s world.
Submarine’s Josh Braun negotiated the deal with Disney. Danny Passman of Gang, Tyre, Ramen, Brown & Passman represents Rocket Pictures. Marisa Fermin and Sarah Santos represent The Machine Films. Jeanne Newman of Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman on behalf of Cutler.
