How Much Money the Ozzy Osbourne Biopic Could Make for His Family, According to Legal Expert
Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy as the “Prince of Darkness” continues to loom large over rock history, and his influence shows no signs of fading as a feature-length Ozzy Osbourne biopic remains in active development. From fronting Black Sabbath and helping invent heavy metal to building a multigenerational brand alongside his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s life story spans decades of music, controversy, and cultural impact. Now, with a scripted biopic in the works, a leading asset protection attorney is weighing in on how much money the film could make for the Osbournes.
The Osbournes could see accelerated earnings from the Ozzy Osbourne biopic
The highly anticipated Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne biopic is still actively moving forward at Sony Pictures. Development is now centered on choosing a director while Oscar-nominated screenwriter Lee Hall, known for Rocketman, remains attached to the screenplay, according to Variety.
First announced in 2021, the project is designed to chronicle both Ozzy’s legendary musical career and his decades-long relationship with Sharon, blending his rise from Black Sabbath frontman to solo icon with their personal story. Producers include Sharon and their children via Osbourne Media alongside Polygram Entertainment. The film is expected to feature music from Black Sabbath and Ozzy’s solo catalog. Although progress slowed in part due to the complexities of biographical filmmaking, current reporting confirms that negotiations with a director are underway.
Gideon Alper, founder of Alper Law, made a statement about how legacy artists, such as Ozzy, can see their earnings increase after their death.
“For legacy artists, death is often the moment when earnings accelerate,” Alper says. “Films, streaming platforms, and renewed music demand can unlock enormous value — but that value is also suddenly exposed.”
Alper Law gave estimates on how much money the biopic could generate
So, how much money could the Osbournes see from an Ozzy Osbourne biopic?
According to Alper Law, high-profile biopics can generate significant income from access to original recordings, publishing rights, and likeness agreements. These can bring in £5 million to £15 million upfront.
Additionally, streaming deals can bring in money. Exclusive streaming arrangements and backend participation have an estimated value of £10 million to over £30 million.
Biopics can also trigger significant streaming increases for the artist. These increases can last several years and offer £20 million to £40 million in additional revenue.
Films like these often lead to reviving the brand, which can include anniversary reissues, exhibitions, merchandise, and tribute productions. This has an estimated value of £5 million to £10 million.
Finally, unreleased intellectual property can bring in a lot of income. Sharon Osbourne previously revealed that Ozzy kept daily journals for four decades. He also created thousands of drawings. These assets hold an estimated value of £3 million to £8 million.
Conservatively, this means the Osbournes could make around £40 million on the biopic, but they’re more likely to bring in closer to £60 million to £80 million. The family could potentially earn over £100 million.
Gideon Alper of Alper Law explains the potential risks to the estate after death
While biopics can bring in a lot of income to families, they’re not risk-free. The Osbournes could potentially experience inheritance tax erosion, disputes between heirs or corporate entities, or challenges to licensing and royalty arrangements, just to name a few.
“Posthumous income attracts attention — from tax authorities, former partners, commercial stakeholders and opportunistic litigants,” Alper explains. “Without advanced planning, families can lose control of assets they assumed were secure.”
Alper adds that families like the Osbournes may use offshore asset-protection trusts. These trusts can help preserve wealth through generations and shield assets from lawsuits.
“When a family’s biggest earnings arrive after death, protection matters more than optimization,” Alper notes. “The strongest estates are structured to withstand scrutiny long after the headlines fade.”
