I AM OZZY, THE MOVIE?

Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 11:00am by Axl Rosenberg

I wish I could find video of this somewhere, but I seem to recall a red carpet interview with Robert Downey, Jr. at last week’s Oscars, where the interviewer told him there was a rumor that Ozzy Osbourne wanted Downey to play him in a movie. The reviewer asked if Downey would ever consider such a role; Downey deferred to his wife, producer Susan Downey, who replied “It all depends on the script,” which is Hollywood-speak for “It all depends on how much money they offer us.”

At the time this all struck me as “What if?” talk – but now Metal Underground is reporting a rumor that Ozzy is “in talks with several studios” about turning his recent (and, much to my disbelief, apparently quite good) autobiography, I Am Ozzy, into a feature film.

Of course, this could be nothing more than a rumor – but given Ozzy’s name value in pop culture and the fact that music-related biopics are so often successful, financially if not creatively (Ray, Walk the Line, etc.), I’d be surprised if someone didn’t at least option the tome. (If you don’t know what I mean by “option,” read this.) That doesn’t mean it will ever get made – the movie version of Motley Crue’s The Dirt appears to be forever stuck in development hell – but it means there’s a realistic possibility that it could get made.

So here’s a fun game to play while we’re waiting to see how this all shakes out: who should play Ozzy if they make a movie of his life? Downey is actually a pretty good choice, persona-wise, even if I think he’s somewhat more dashing than Mr. Osbourne (I assume any actor could pack on the necessary chub to play the Ozzman, if necessary). I seem to recall a rumor a few years back about Jack Black wanting the role, but I think that’s an awful idea. And you may recall the rumblings that Christopher Walken was gonna play Ozzy in the aforementioned movie version of The Dirt – although Nikki Sixx put the kibosh on that rumor.

So… make your suggestions below, and we’ll obviously give you more info as we get it.

-AR

21 COMMENTS on “I AM OZZY, THE MOVIE?”

  • bender says:

    A few years back there were all these rumors that it was going to be Johnny Depp as Ozzy. I don’t know how I would feel about that, but it seems a moot point now, Downey is much more likely to land the role than Deppy.

  • zen dudeist says:

    Isn’t Cate Blanchett supposed to play one of the Ozzi?

  • You Don't Know Me says:

    Samuel L. Jackson… just because…

  • Satanus says:

    Uh, Robert Pattinson. Duh.

    • Hammer_Smashed_Hurtt says:

      Give him a thick mustache and he could possinbly pull off Tony Iommi. Thats coming from someone who HATES Pattinson

  • Marlboro Man says:

    Steve Buscemi

  • Aleezy says:

    Y’all are gonna feel like assholes when I drop this…

    GARY FUCKING OLDMAN!!!

    Right? Goddamn, I wish I was a producer for a few days.

    • DemonicLemming says:

      Oldman definitely has the acting ability to pull it off, but I’m not sure what time era they’d be going for in the movie….Oldman might be a little too old to play a young Ozzy, although makeup can do some insane things. Either way, Oldman or Downey Jr would be excellent in the role.

  • cougar party says:

    Lady Gaga

  • Patton says:

    sylvester stallone

  • me says:

    when the doors film came out ozzy said in kerrang!!! “who the F**k would go and see a film about some guy just drinking and taking drugs” what more can i say

  • Geekbeater says:

    Arnold. Nuff said

  • RenegadeDave says:

    Amy Winehouse.

  • Hammer_Smashed_Hurtt says:

    Who’d play Randy and Zakk? THATS what im curious to see play out.

  • Carl says:

    Alice Cooper mentioned on Nights With Alice, with the name Johnny Depp as Ozzy. JD is so versatile in many roles of movies, I think he could pull it off!

  • Virgo says:

    Okay, well I’ve thought about a lot of people who could do Ozzy, but as for Sabbath era Ozzy, this guy could perhaps pull it off: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0200452/mediaindex?page=1
    You know.. with a wig.

    As for Randy Rhoads, I think this guy would be a good candidate: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233079/mediaindex
    Just give him a blonde wig!

    ..This is all based on physical appearance though, not necessarily acting chops. :)

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