If you couldn’t make it to Birmingham, England earlier this month for the historic Back to the Beginning final concert from Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, you’re in luck because Mercury Studios is compiling the best bits for theatrical release. According to Variety, a 100-minute concert film, Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, chronicling the show is slated to hit the big screen in 2026.
“Presented as a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of Black Sabbath, the theatrical release will be a distilled version of the epic all-day event held at Villa Park,” read a press release about the feature that will chronicle the all-star, all-day heavy metal gathering of the tribes in Sabbath’s hometown on July 5 at Villa Park. “Featuring thunderous performances of ‘War Pigs,’ ‘Iron Man,’ ‘Children of the Grave’ and a show-stopping ‘Paranoid,’ the film promises a deeply personal and electrifying farewell from the godfather of heavy metal with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews from this iconic live performance.”
What was billed as 76-year-old Osbourne’s — and Sabbath’s — final-ever concert was a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of some of hard rock’s most iconic acts, teaming up to celebrate the Prince of Darkness’ legendary career. Metallica, Mastodon, Anthrax, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Gojira, Slayer and a supergroup featuring members of Guns N’ Roses, the Smashing Pumpkins, Limp Bizkit, Judas Priest, Rage Against the Machine were among the many acts on the bill that day.
And while the sold-out show welcomed 42,000 fans to witness the final bow in person, with more than five million more streaming the epic event via VOD, the film will give those who were not able to watch the original gig a chance to see the magic. According to Variety, after the theatrical release of the Back to the Beginning movie in early 2026, there will also be a physical version available later in the year, with additional details on the rollout and release dates to be announced later.
In addition to giving Osbourne and his original Sabbath band mates — guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — a chance to say goodbye, the event was also a bittersweet finale for Ozzy, who retired from touring in 2023 due to the physical effects of Parkinson’s disease and a series of surgeries to correct a spinal injury. The rock icon performed a solo set and a set with Sabbath while seated on a throne at the show that was the original Sabbath lineup’s first time on stage together since 2005.
Before the Back to the Beginning film, Paramount+ will premiere a doc delving into Osbourne’s health struggles and prep for the show in No Escape From Now, which is due out later this year. Billboard reported this week that the Back to the Beginning show was the highest-grossing charity concert of all time, donating roughly $190 million to a variety of charities, including Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorn Children’s Hospice and Cure Parkinson’s — an organization dedicated to finding a cure for the disease Osbourne has lived with since a 2019 diagnosis.
Great Job Gil Kaufman & the Team @ Billboard Source link for sharing this story.
