The recently-reunited Ramones estate has lots of exciting things in the works leading up to the band’s 40th anniversary, including a Ramones movie directed by Martin Scorsese.
The revered director is regarded by many as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time. And, according to Billboard, he is attached to direct a movie about the influential punk band. This biopic will reportedly come out in 2016 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the 1976 release of the Ramones’ debut single, “Blitzkrieg Bop.”
The news of this movie comes on the heels of the 10th annual Johnny Ramone tribute that took place on Sunday, August 24 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to honor the band’s guitarist. Jeff Jampol, co-manager of the band’s estate, offers no further details about the movie, but he revealed to Billboard plans for several future Ramones projects.
Discord within the Ramones estate prevented the realization of projects in the past. Billboard explains, “For years, Linda Ramone has controlled Johnny’s half of the band’s estate, while Joey’s brother Mickey oversaw the lead singer’s half.” Fortunately, the disputes are in the past after all interested parties kissed and made up.
“The whole Ramones family, we have falling outs and arguments and go make up. That's life,” Linda Ramone told Rolling Stone about the band’s reunited estate. "We've got so much stuff coming up. We have offers all the time for movies and plays and cartoons. It's been like that since the beginning, but now is the time to make it all happen because the Ramones are bigger than ever. Everybody loves them."
In addition to the Scorsese film, Jampol also disclosed plans for a Ramones book, a theatrical play, remastered music, apparel and a documentary featuring never-seen-before footage.
The reunited Ramones estate opens the doors to many possibilities. “We’re all gonna focus on the Ramones, and it’s that whole thing of, ‘United we stand, divided we fall,'" Jampol explains. “The legacy is the Ramones, the music is the Ramones, it was the four of them – it was Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy, and everybody is cooperating and moving in one direction together as a team.”
As they say, "Hey Ho, Let's Go!"
