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Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iron Maiden 50th Anniversary Documentary To Feature Rare Footage, New Animated Sequences with Mascot Eddie
Universal Pictures Content Group announced on Friday (March 14) that it has begun production on a documentary chronicling heavy metal icons Iron Maiden's 50-year career. The currently untitled film is slated for release internationally in the fall, with U.S. theatrical distribution details to be confirmed later. According to a release, the long-awaited doc is an 'emotive journey through Iron Maiden's 50 Year history told from the perspective of both the band and some of their most devoted followers – from longstanding superfans to established names from the worlds of film and music such as Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Gene Simmons.' More from Billboard Ye Slams Kendrick Lamar for Being on Playboi Carti's New Album: 'I Don't Like [His] Music' Watch Gene Simmons Hilariously Take Over a Los Angeles Weather Report & Deliver a Chaotic Forecast Jay Rock Arrested For Felony Gun Possession in Los Angeles In addition, the doc is slated to feature exclusive interviews with key band members and the final interview with original vocalist, Paul Di'Anno, who died in October 2024 at 66 from a tear in the sac around his heart. In addition to rare archival footage of the group, the doc will also include all-new animated sequences with Maiden's fan-favorite ghoulish grin zombie mascot Eddie, who has appeared on all their album covers. 'We're proud Universal Pictures Content Group has chosen to share the unique story of Iron Maiden with the world,' said Maiden manager Rod Smallwood in a statement about the film that will be directed by Malcolm Venville (Churchill At War). 'We have given them unrestricted access to the band, our fans and musical peers. We trust that they will excite not only music fans but also anyone who loves a story of an underdog beating the odds to become and remain one of Britain's biggest musical exports since our first record released 45 years ago.' The movie description continues, 'The film offers a unique visual experience that highlights Iron Maiden's widespread impact and the strong connection between the band and their truly global army of fans. The film also explores the cultural movement Iron Maiden has helped shape and their enduring legacy in both music and fan culture, challenging common perceptions of the wider significance of rock music and heavy metal.' Iron Maiden formed in East London in 1975 and helped spearhead a resurgent wave of British metal on their way to selling more than 100 million records worldwide thanks to such hard-charging hit singles as 'Run to the Hills,' 'The Number of the Beast,' 'Aces High,' 'Flight of Icarus,' 'The Trooper' and 'Hallowed Be Thy Name.' 'We're thrilled Iron Maiden have entrusted us to bring their legacy to cinemas around the world,' said Universal Pictures Content group executive vice president Helen Parker. 'Working closely with the band and their passionate fans has been an unrivalled experience allowing us to tell their story in a unique way and celebrate their incomparable fearless creativity in their 50th anniversary year.' The film will be produced by Dominic Freeman (Spirits in the Forest – a Depeche Mode Film), with Parker serving as executive producer. Iron Maiden will launch their 50th anniversary Run For Your Lives tour in Budapest on May 27, with 32 other dates currently scheduled throughout Europe through August 2. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
The Guardian
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Iron Maiden making official documentary to mark 50th anniversary
Iron Maiden are to have an official documentary made about them, charting their long career as cornerstones of British heavy metal. The currently untitled film, scheduled for release in cinemas in the autumn to mark Iron Maiden's 50th anniversary, will feature interviews with the band – including the final interview with early member Paul Di'Anno, who died last year – as they recall their path from grotty east London to five UK No 1 albums and phantasmagoric arena-filling stage shows. Superfans including Kiss's Gene Simmons, Metallica's Lars Ulrich and actor Javier Bardem will be on hand for analysis. As well as archival footage there will be new animated sequences featuring band mascot Eddie, adding up to what promotional materials describe as 'a unique visual experience that highlights Iron Maiden's widespread impact and the strong connection between the band and their truly global army of fans'. A subsidiary of Universal Pictures will produce the film, which is being directed by Malcolm Venville. The British film-maker is known for his films about even more august historical figures: the 2024 miniseries Churchill at War, and his drama trilogy focusing on the US presidents Ulysses S Grant, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden's manager, said Venville and his team were given 'unrestricted access to the band, our fans and musical peers. We trust that they will excite not only music fans but also anyone who loves a story of an underdog beating the odds.' While Iron Maiden's commercial peak was in the 1980s, with hit albums such as The Number of the Beast – a two-time platinum seller in the UK – the band are very much a going concern. Their most recent album, 2021's Senjutsu, reached No 2 in the UK charts and was critically acclaimed, with the Guardian awarding it five stars and calling it 'eccentric, bombastic heavy metal at its finest'. The band will also mark their 50th anniversary by heading out on a 26th world tour. The first leg of the Run for Your Lives tour begins on 27 May in Budapest and continues throughout Europe until 2 August, including a date at London Stadium on 28 June.
