Authorized Documentary Announced
Bleecker Street’s event cinema arm Crosswalk has secured the North American rights to the first-ever sanctioned feature‑length film about Def Leppard. Titled Long Live Def Leppard, the documentary is slated for an early 2027 debut in theaters across the United States and Canada. The project carries the official blessing of the band, guaranteeing a portrait that reflects their own perspective on more than four decades of music, triumph, and perseverance.
Filmmaker’s Personal Connection
Acclaimed director Jeff Feuerzeig, known for works such as The Devil and Daniel Johnston and Author: The JT LeRoy Story, will helm the picture. Feuerzeig’s connection to Def Leppard dates back to the summer of 1981, when a young fan discovered the group in Creem magazine and caught their opening set for Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz tour at Asbury Park’s Convention Hall. He recalls being struck by the raw ambition of the Sheffield‑based musicians, describing the experience as the spark that turned him into a lifelong devotee. In a press release announcing the acquisition, Feuerzeig said, “It has been an honor to collaborate with the guys and bring their unique, heartwarming, and often humorous underdog story to the screen. This is not your typical sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll tale.”
Behind the Scenes Access
Produced in close collaboration with the band, the film promises unprecedented material. Viewers will get to see never‑released rehearsal tapes, backstage moments, and candid interviews with the current lineup: lead vocalist Joe Elliott, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick Savage, and drummer Rick Allen. The documentary aims to “take fans on a wild ride into the world of this iconic English rock band,” delivering a narrative that balances high‑energy performance footage with intimate, personal reflections.
Triumph Over Tragedy
A central thread of the documentary explores the band’s resilience in the face of adversity. After breaking onto the global stage with the multi‑platinum albums “Pyromania” and “Hysteria”, Def Leppard endured two profound setbacks. Drummer Rick Allen survived a horrific car accident that resulted in the loss of his left arm, a challenge he overcame by adapting a custom electronic drum kit. Shortly thereafter, the group mourned the death of guitarist Steve Clark, whose inventive riffs helped define the band’s signature sound. The film examines how these tragedies became turning points, prompting the members to regroup, reinvent their approach, and ultimately cement their status as one of rock’s most enduring acts.
Production Partners and Release Details
The picture benefits from a robust coalition of financiers and executive producers. Sobey Road Entertainment served as lead financier, with executive production contributions from Nigel Sinclair and Cassidy Hartmann of White Horse Pictures, Stuart Goldstein and Rosie Taylor of Vice Studios, Andrew Trapani of Sobey Road Entertainment, and numerous industry veterans including Emmerson G. Farrell, David Sze, David B. Kirk, Bruce Resnikoff, Adam Barker of Universal Music Group, Lawrence Mestel, Natalia Nastaskin and Robert Dippold of Primary Wave Music, Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures, Brian Monaco of Sony Music Publishing, and Mike Kobayashi of CSM Management. Amy Rattray of Vice Studios acts as line producer. The distribution deal was negotiated by Avy Eschenasy for Crosswalk and Kevin Iwashina of Audiovisuel on behalf of the filmmakers.
What Fans Can Expect
Long Live Def Leppard is positioned as more than a retrospective; it is an immersive experience that captures the spirit of a band that has sold over 110 million albums worldwide and earned a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Bleecker Street CEO Kent Sanderson emphasized that the film’s high‑energy, compelling, and ultimately moving portrayal will resonate with longtime followers as well as newcomers discovering the group for the first time. By blending rare archival content with fresh interviews, the documentary intends to deliver a definitive visual chronicle that honors Def Leppard’s legacy while inviting audiences to witness the human stories behind the anthems.
