Photo Credit: Jim Summaria via Creative Commons
Becoming Led Zeppelin has finally received a big-screen confirmation. Initially premiering three-odd years ago at the Venice Film Festival, the feature represents the first and only authorized documentary retelling of famed rock giants Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. A theatrical roll-out is imminent, with Sony Pictures Classics acquiring rights to the release.
According to the official press release, the rights have been obtained in North America, Southeast Asia (sans Japan), the Middle East and the Benelux markets after negotiations ensued between Sony Classics director Bernard MacMahon and Altitude Film Sales. At this time, an exact theatrical release date has not yet been established, yet the decision to move forward grants fans of the band hope for a fully-fledged picture after the derailed 2021 sampling of rough cuts at the aforementioned Italian revue.
The documentary will feature new conversations with the band’s surviving members, Plant, Page, and Jones. Each of them has given the filmmakers access to their personal archives to generate a full capture, including never-before-released interviews with the band’s late drummer. Also serving as a debut in the movie are early performances at Fillmore West (Jan. 1969), Atlanta Pop Festival (1969), and the Texas Pop Festival (August 1969).
Becoming Led Zeppelin was co-written by MacMahon and Allison McGrouty in 2019. Two years later, the initial documentary/live concert film, in rough cut form, arrived at the Venice Film Festival. “When I saw the early cut of the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, it was amazing,” Page said in a statement. “The energy of the story, and the power of the music is phenomenal.”
Previously deemed a work in progress, by today’s report, Becoming Led Zeppelin is now complete, having “a brand-new sound mix (and) newly unearthed material from the archives of all four band members.” “We have spent years designing this film to be experienced on the big screen with the best possible sound,” said MacMahon. McGrouty added, “Sony Pictures Classics are the perfect partners because they are true believers in the theatrical experience and are passionate about giving the millions of Led Zeppelin fans a chance to see and hear them on the greatest screens and sound systems in the world.”
Watch the initial premiere trailer below.
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