Vancouver-headquartered Network Entertainment, a Network Media Group company, has started production on a feature-length doc about the life and career of legendary lyricist Bernie Taupin (pictured).

Directed by Matthew Miele (Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion), the film features interviews with Taupin, Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Alice Cooper, James Hetfield, Annie Lennox, Ringo Starr and others, as well as archival footage to follow Bernie’s life – past and present – and get a glimpse into his pursuit of sonic and visual art forms.

One of the most successful songwriting duos of all time, Taupin and Elton John have a record 30 consecutive Top 40 hits, have co-created over 25 platinum albums and 35 gold albums, sold more than 255 million records worldwide, and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Bernie’s rewrite of Candle in the Wind for Princess Diana’s funeral remains the biggest-selling physical single in recording history.

Taupin was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2023. In March of this year, Taupin and John were awarded the distinguished Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

“I think many people are unaware that the phenomenon that is Elton John is really two people. And as talented and flamboyant as the melody maker of that duo has become, one can’t help but be curious about the one who writes the words, the storyteller. Having the opportunity to chronicle the brown dirt cowboy, a.k.a. Bernie Taupin, has been a story I have been working toward my entire career.” said Miele in a statement.

“Reticent as I am to scrutiny, this project has been enlightening both on an emotional and analytical level. The originality of all parties involved has made participating in it much easier as I loosen my grip on the cards I hold closest to my chest,” Taupin added.

The doc is produced by Network Entertainment in association with Polygram Entertainment – the film and television arm of Universal Music Group.

The project is produced by Heather Taupin, Network Media’s Derik Murray and Stephen McCormack of Reflektor Media.

Executive producers include Miele, Polygram’s Jody Gerson and David Blackman, Erik Dekker, Tim Gamble, Brian Gersh, Paul Gertz, Charlie Hendon, Denis MacCarthy, Ali Pejman, Craig Verdon, Cameron White, Curtis White, Kyle White, Kent Wingerak and Greg Zeschuk.

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame