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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
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paul Di'Anno's final interview to appear in Iron Maiden documentary
A documentary film about Iron Maiden will feature a final interview with the band's former singer Paul Di'Anno, who died aged 66 last year. Band members past and present including Di'Anno, who sang with the band between 1978 and 1981, take part in the untitled Iron Maiden feature documentary, which comes out in the band's 50th anniversary year. The heavy rockers, formed in 1975 in east London, have sold more than 100 million records, and performed over 2,500 concerts in 64 countries across six continents. Later this year they will add to this number as the band embark on their Run For Your Lives Tour kicking off in Budapest, Hungary, in May. Rod Smallwood, manager of Iron Maiden, said: 'We're proud Universal Pictures Content Group has chosen to share the unique story of Iron Maiden with the world. 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.' Fans were also interviewed for the film along with famous faces such as No Country For Old Men and Skyfall star Javier Bardem, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich and Kiss musician Gene Simmons, while the band's ghoulish mascot Eddie is brought to life via animation. For most of the last few decades, guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Janick Gers, lead singer Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, and drummer Michael 'Nicko' McBrain, who has been replaced with Simon Dawson for the latest series of concerts after retiring in 2024, have been the main line-up. Previous members have included singer Blaze Bayley, drummers Barry 'Thunderstick' Purkis and Doug Sampson, guitarist Dennis Stratton, and keyboardist Tony Moore. Di'Anno featured on their 1980 debut album and its follow-up Killers, singing on songs such as Running Free, Sanctuary and Remember Tomorrow, and later had guest appearances with Iron Maiden, after being replaced by Dickinson. The film is promised as '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'. Helen Parker, executive vice president at Universal Pictures Content Group and executive producer, said: 'We're thrilled Iron Maiden have entrusted us to bring their legacy to cinemas around the world. '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.' It is directed by Malcolm Venville, who directed the Netflix docu-series Churchill At War, and produced by Dominic Freeman, who worked on the Depeche Mode film Spirits In The Forest. Iron Maiden has had a number one in the UK with 1988 single Bring Your Daughter… To The Slaughter and 35 songs in the top 40, according to the Official Charts Company. They have also had five number one albums including Fear Of The Dark, The Book Of Souls, The Final Frontier, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son and The Number Of The Beast, with the latest record, 2021's Senjutsu, making it to number two in the UK charts. The Universal Pictures Content Group said the film is set for an autumn 2025 release in cinemas internationally.
