Following the news of Ozzy Osbourne’s death, fans and music lovers shared tributes online, celebrating the iconic Black Sabbath frontman widely known as the “Prince of Darkness.” Among numerous remembrances, a particular clip resurfaced showing Osbourne naming his first choice for the actor to portray him in a movie. Contrary to popular speculation favoring Johnny Depp, Osbourne revealed during a 2010 interview that he envisioned Denzel Washington in the role.
During his appearance on The Nerdist podcast, host Chris Hardwick asked Osbourne:
Who would you pick to play you in a movie about your life?
Osbourne responded without hesitation, citing Denzel Washington as the ideal candidate. The exchange sparked excitement on social media when shared by the Screenthrill Instagram account, with many fans agreeing that Washington could convincingly embody the legendary rocker. Comments included remarks such as:
I just know Denzel could do it.
and
Denzel would nail the role.
Progress on the Ozzy Osbourne Biopic Revealed by His Son Jack
Speculation about the existence of an Ozzy Osbourne biopic gained credibility with statements from Jack Osbourne, the late rocker’s son, who disclosed in an interview with The Sun that a film is actively in development. Jack confirmed that a director has been attached to the project, the script is complete but set for revision, and Sony Studios will produce the movie. He described the biopic as a “raw” and unfiltered portrayal that aims to leave “no punches pulled.”
Regarding the project’s status, Jack said:
We have the film on the way. We have a lot of good momentum on the Ozzy biopic. We have a director attached now, and the script is done, and Sony Studios is going to be producing it. It is about to go through a script rewrite. It’s going to be raw. We are not pulling any punches, we are really laying it all out. The director is absolutely phenomenal. I can’t say who he is, but we are very lucky to have him and he is a die-hard fan. If the evil overlords of Hollywood give us the green light, we could be filming in the spring, so maybe it will be out by the summer of 2027.
Jack shared these details several weeks before Ozzy Osbourne’s passing on July 22 at age 76, with the family announcing:
It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love.
Uncertainty Surrounds Lead Role Casting for the Ozzy Osbourne Biopic
Although the film’s development is underway, there is currently no official announcement about who will portray Ozzy Osbourne in the biopic. Given Jack Osbourne’s comments, it appears the production remains in early phases, with script rewrites still pending approval and filming contingent on studio green light. Fans and industry observers alike are left to wonder if Denzel Washington might still be approached for the part, considering Osbourne’s original preference revealed over a decade ago.
The intense interest in casting reflects the broader anticipation for a deeply personal and unvarnished account of Osbourne’s life, confirming the biopic’s potential significance as a definitive portrayal of the legendary rock star’s career and personal struggles. If production proceeds as planned, audiences may expect to see the film released as early as the summer of 2027.
