Bernie Taupin Doc In Works From ‘Brats’ Producer Network Entertainment

Matt Grobar
·3-min read

Network Entertainment has entered production on a new documentary celebrating the life and career of Bernie Taupin, the legendary lyricist best known for his longtime songwriting partnership with EGOT winner Elton John.

Directed by Matthew Miele (Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion) and featuring newly commissioned interviews and archival content, the doc promises to offer a pulsating celebration of Bernie’s life, a deep dive into the roots of his creativity — including Bernie living his dream as a cowboy on the California coast, and a trip with Bernie back to Lincolnshire to capture his origin story, which is rooted within many of his songs that have become classics — and an insider’s look at his insatiable pursuit of sonic and visual art forms.

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In addition to John, interviewees in the documentary will include Brandi Carlile, Alice Cooper, James Hetfield, Annie Lennox, Lulu, Gary Oldman, Ringo Starr, and Pete Townshend. Pic is produced by Network Entertainment in association with Polygram Entertainment – a partner of Universal Music Group. Producers are Network Entertainment’s Derik Murray, Heather Taupin, and Stephen McCormack of Reflektor Media. Executive producers are Brian Gersh, Paul Gertz, Kent Wingerak, Charlie Hendon, Miele, and Jody Gerson and David Blackman for Polygram.

Stated Taupin, “Reticent as I am to scrutiny, this project has been enlightening both on an emotional and analytical level. The originality of all parties involved has made participating in it much easier as I loosen my grip on the cards I hold closest to my chest.”

Remarked producer Miele, “I think many people are unaware that the phenomenon that is Elton John is really two people. And as talented and flamboyant as the melody maker of that duo has become, one can’t help but be curious about the one who writes the words, the storyteller. Having the opportunity to chronicle the brown dirt cowboy, aka Bernie Taupin, has been a story I have been working toward my entire career.”

Derik Murray, Founder of Network Entertainment, added, “We are proud to be working with Bernie on the definitive documentary of his inspiring journey and musical legacy. We’re also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on the mystery behind the genius of Bernie.”

One of the most successful, decorated, and revered songwriting duos of all time, Taupin and John have a record 30 consecutive Top 40 hits, have co-created over 25 platinum albums and 35 gold albums, and have sold more than 255 million records worldwide. Some of the myriad classic tunes from the duo include “Your Song,” “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time),” “Tiny Dancer,” “Candle in the Wind” and “Bennie and the Jets,” to name just a few.

Taupin is coming off the release of his New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling autobiography, Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton, and Me, and the last six months have only solidified his legacy in the pantheon of songwriters, as he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November. Taupin and John were awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in March of this year.

Coming off the Hulu release of Andrew McCarthy’s Brat Pack doc, Brats, Network Entertainment’s other recent releases include the Sidney Poitier documentary, Sidney, for Apple TV+; the four-part Epix docuseries Punk, exec produced by legendary fashion designer John Varvatos and punk pioneer Iggy Pop; and The Age of A.I., an eight-part series in partnership with host and executive producer Robert Downey Jr., which launched on YouTube Originals and has attracted 62 million views and counting.

Upcoming releases include a feature doc on groundbreaking musical artist Sly Stone, directed by Oscar winner Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Produced in partnership with MRC Non-Fiction, that film has been acquired by Disney’s Onyx Collective.

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