Mystery Actor Cast as Ozzy Osbourne in Sony Biopic
Jack Osbourne confirms Sony Pictures has selected an unnamed 'phenomenal actor' to portray the late metal legend in a long-awaited biographical film, with director attached and script rewrites currently underway.
A mystery performer has been selected to portray late heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne in Sony Pictures' biographical film, according to the rocker's son Jack Osbourne. The project has been in development for six years.
The Black Sabbath frontman died in July 2025 at age 76, just over two weeks after his final concert at Birmingham's Villa Park. Osbourne had battled Parkinson's disease since early 2019 and coronary artery disease before succumbing to a heart attack.
Production Moves Forward
Speaking on Billy Morrison's Influenced podcast, Jack Osbourne revealed the family is pushing ahead with the biographical picture. "We are in full steam in the next phase of development with this movie," the 40-year-old said.
"That's an acted movie that we've been developing with Sony studios for, like, six years already. We have our decided pick, and I can't say anything, but it's a phenomenal, phenomenal actor. We have a director attached, and we're doing a rewrite right now."
Jack frequently updated his father about the film's progress. The metal legend's response was typically blunt: "I don't give a s***. Just tell me when it's out so I can go see it."
Different Approach Than Queen Film
Sharon Osbourne made clear the family wants their movie to stand apart from 2018's Bohemian Rhapsody, despite that film's four Oscar wins and commercial success. "Our film will be a lot more real," she stated. "We don't want it to be squeaky, shiny clean and all of that. We're not making it for kids. It's an adult movie for adults."
She dismissed the Queen biopic as a "Hallmark rock movie," though acknowledged it introduced the band's music to younger audiences. The Osbourne story won't follow the sanitized path of either Bohemian Rhapsody or Elton John's Rocketman.
When first announced, Sharon described her relationship with Ozzy as "wild, insane, and dangerous, but it was our undying love that kept us together." Billy Elliot screenwriter Lee Hall was previously attached, though his current involvement remains unclear.
The casting choice will likely favor English talent to match Osbourne's Birmingham roots. Jack recently appeared on the UK reality series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here before Christmas.