Cameron Crowe is pressing forward with his long-rumored biopic about Joni Mitchell, hoping to have the film completed by Christmas of next year. In an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, the Almost Famous director shared that production is scheduled to begin by the end of this year, with the aim of wrapping up in time for a late 2024 release. This project marks a significant step in Crowe’s career, as he takes on the life story of a close friend and one of Canada’s most influential music icons.
Crowe first became associated with Mitchell over their shared passion for music, and now, as he prepares to bring her story to the screen, he compares the project to his 1983 film Heartbreakers Beach Party, a documentary about Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. “You know, similarly to Heartbreakers Beach Party, it’s Joni’s life, not through anybody else’s prism. It’s through her prism. It’s the characters who impacted her life that you know and a lot that you don’t know. And the music is so cinematic,” Crowe explained.
The director also highlighted his commitment to capturing Mitchell’s story accurately, revealing that he has sought out people from her early years to ensure the film reflects the true depth of her journey. “I found a lot of the people from her early life, a lot of them are still alive,” Crowe said. “We’ve talked to them about what it was like to know Joni back then, as opposed to now. She’s the same girl from Saskatoon, you know? She’s got a lot of will and grit. It’s a life with a tale worth telling, filled with great music — and I get out of the way, just like Heartbreakers Beach Party.”
The film’s development comes at a time of renewed public interest in Mitchell, who recently made a triumphant return to the stage. Over the weekend, she headlined her first Los Angeles concert in over 28 years, performing at the Hollywood Bowl. The concert, which drew widespread attention, featured Mitchell sharing candid moments with the audience, including a blunt political remark: “Fuck Donald Trump.” Backstage, she mingled with fellow musicians, including Brandi Carlile, Elton John, and Lucy Dacus, affectionately referred to as the “gay mafia.”
While details about the biopic remain limited, Crowe’s comments suggest that the film will blend personal storytelling with a focus on Mitchell’s musical evolution, spotlighting both the familiar and lesser-known figures who shaped her life and career. For fans of Mitchell and Crowe alike, the film promises to offer a deep, intimate look into one of the most celebrated figures in music, framed through her own unique lens.