Universal Pictures has won a bidding war to develop a musical biopic on rock band Bon Jovi, with frontman Jon Bon Jovi involved and the project drawing from the band's hits. Screenwriter Cody Brotter is attached, alongside producers Kevin J. Walsh and Gotham Chopra, following their 2024 Hulu documentary on the group.
Universal Pictures emerged victorious in a bidding war to produce a biopic chronicling Bon Jovi's origin story, as reported by Variety and confirmed by Rolling Stone on March 10, 2026. The musical film will feature the band's catalog, including “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Bad Medicine,” and “It’s My Life.” No director or casting has been announced.
Screenwriter Cody Brotter (upcoming “Killing Satoshi”) is penning the script. Producers include Kevin J. Walsh (“Napoleon,” “House of Gucci,” “Manchester by the Sea”) and Gotham Chopra of Religion of Sports, who produced the 2024 Hulu documentary Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story. Universal executive Jacqueline Garell is overseeing development. Jon Bon Jovi is involved, building on his documentary participation where he discussed voice issues, surgery, and legacy, saying, “I don’t have a messiah complex... that’s why the legacy matters.”
Formed in 1983 in New Jersey and named after lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, the band broke out with its 1984 self-titled debut and soared with 1986's Slippery When Wet. They have sold over 130 million albums, earning induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame (2006), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2018), and Songwriters Hall of Fame. Founding members include Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres; guitarist Richie Sambora left in 2013, bassist Alec John Such in 1994 (died 2022). Jon has released two solo albums and acted in films like Pay It Forward (2000) and New Year’s Eve (2011).
The band marked its 40th anniversary with 2024's Forever album and announced 2025 tours, including Madison Square Garden and U.K. dates.
The project joins a wave of music biopics, including hits like Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen), Rocketman (Elton John), Elvis, Bob Marley: One Love, and A Complete Unknown (Bob Dylan), alongside upcoming Michael (Michael Jackson, Universal international distribution, April 22, 2025) and Deliver Me From Nowhere (Bruce Springsteen). Recent releases like Back to Black (Amy Winehouse) underperformed.
