Electric Light Orchestra fans split on whether Jeff Lynne-fronted band should receive biopic

Electric Light Orchestra fans are split on whether or not the band’s story should be adapted to the big screen.

The Jeff Lynne-fronted band has more than a few hits behind them, and many may be interested to learn the story of how Electric Light Orchestra evolved. But those who want that face opposition from those who do not, as fans took to the r/ELO subreddit to share their thoughts on how an adaptation of the Mr. Blue Sky hitmakers could come to life. Some were left wondering whether a biopic of the band is at all necessary, while others voiced their fears for an adaptation, given the current state of music biopics.

A fan of the band asked: “Would you like a biopic about Electric Light Orchestra/Jeff Lynne? I think one drawback to this might be that, unlike other superstars whose existence has become mythical (and whose private lives are well-established in popular culture), in the specific case of ELO or Jeff himself, there isn’t much to draw from to make a formulaic and repetitive biopic like Bohemian Rhapsody or the more recent Michael film.

“I mean, very few people outside the music scene or who weren’t fans of the band know who’s behind the music, and in terms of popularity, the general public might recognise the songs, but I don’t know if they’d go see a movie about the lives of those people because their names simply don’t resonate that much.

“The good thing is that, perhaps, this will help the film focus less on exploiting the private lives of its members and more on the creative process and the inspiration behind their music (which is what a movie about a band should be about, I suppose).”

One fan replied: “If ELO ever gets some sort of film, I’d rather it be an adaptation of Time rather than some biopic focused more on selling albums rather than being honest. And with Lynne almost undoubtedly having final say on what goes in and what stays out, it would probably end up being nothing more than a glorified interview going over the basic info that’s been repeated over and over, year after year.

“I’d rather someone try and make a passion project out of love for the music (even if it never gets made) rather than a corporate advertisement made to get more streams on Spotify (cough cough Bohemian Rhapsody).”

Another added: “The problem with a potential ELO biopic is that the band’s career trajectory wasn’t nearly derailed by any one particular obstacle, unless you somehow portray Jeff choosing to mostly concentrate on other things from 1987 to 2014 as a negative.

“I can’t imagine any scenario where you could get away with turning Don Arden into a typical villain-type figure, the Brass Ring lawsuit of 1978 or even Kelly’s settlement in 1983 are hardly the kind of dramatic turns you can sensationalise enough to justify writing a story around these, and I’m fairly sure there was an agreement in place (up to a point, at least) restricting what Bev could legally say about the whole Part II chapter, but again, is that really enough “drama” for a theatrical project?

“Perhaps the best route would have been for a jukebox musical with a completely disconnected narrative soundtracked to the music of ELO, and Jeff was apparently turned down that exact approach long before the genre took off as a proven format to help rejuvenate the popularity of legacy artists.

“Even the idea of producing an animated adaptation of Time seems as if it would be too late to the party now Gainax is a thing of the past, and the 2012 documentary felt like Jeff’s final say on the history of ELO from his perspective, with so little relatively happening after the drawing of that line. Dare I say it, but maybe it’s just not meant to be?”

Others suggested potential casting choices for the film. One person, who did not want a biopic of the band making, simultaneously suggested a crossover with other biopics. They wrote: “I really can’t stand music biopics so I’d have to pass.

“That being said, I’d like to see if Oscar Isaac can pull off Jeff Lynne. Maybe for the Wilburys era they can get Chalamet and whoever’s playing George Harrison in the Beatles four-piece.”