Washington DC, May 19 -- Director John Ottman is set to direct 'Billy & Me', a feature film chronicling the formative years of superstar singer-pianist Billy Joel, reported Variety.

'Billy & Me' tells the origin story of Joel before fame, before the hits and, significantly, before 'Piano Man,' the 1973 song and album that lofted him to stardom. The film is told through the eyes of Joel's first manager, Irwin Mazur, who discovered the singer in 1966, signed him in 1970 and oversaw his career up to his breakthrough deal with Columbia Records in 1972, according to the outlet.

Casting is currently underway, with production slated for this fall in Winnipeg, Canada and New York. The film follows the two-part 2025 HBO documentary on the singer...