Brad Pitt Wanted to Play Jeff Buckley in a Biopic but the Musician’s Mom Nixed It — Here’s Why

Brad Pitt’s Desire to Portray Jeff Buckley in a Biopic Blocked by Musician’s Mother

Well-known actor Brad Pitt had expressed interest in taking on the role of talented musician Jeff Buckley in a biopic. Jeff Buckley, who tragically passed away in 1997 at the age of 30, left behind a significant musical legacy. Buckley’s mother, Mary Guibert, disclosed that Pitt, now 61, approached her about creating the biopic following an invitation to his 2000 wedding with Jennifer Aniston. Guibert, in an interview with Variety, shared that she swiftly granted permission to Pitt, given his star power. She humorously mentioned, “If there’s 20 people calling you, and Brad Pitt is one of them, who are you gonna pick to go see?” Despite her initial reluctance, Guibert raised concerns about the authenticity of Pitt’s portrayal, questioning, “‘We’re going to dye your hair, put brown contact lenses on those baby blues, and Jeff’s voice is going to come out?'”

Following their discussions, Guibert and Pitt maintained contact over the years. Despite her ultimate decision to forgo the biopic in favour of a documentary to honour her late son’s life, Pitt remained supportive throughout the documentary-making process. Guibert acknowledged Pitt’s contributions in preserving Buckley’s personal belongings and transitioning them into a digital format. Pitt even took on a producer role for the resulting documentary, titled “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley.” The project saw director Amy Berg, renowned for her work on “West of Memphis,” onboard. Berg resonated with Guibert’s vision for the documentary, underscoring the challenges of replicating Jeff in a scripted context.

Diving deeper into the documentary, Berg shed light on the circumstances surrounding Buckley’s untimely demise. She debunked misconceptions around his passing, noting that while many speculated an overdose, Buckley’s tragic death was due to drowning in a Memphis river. Berg underscored the timelessness of Buckley’s legacy, emphasising the serendipitous nature of discovering his music at the right moment in one’s life. She highlighted the resurgence of interest in Buckley’s music, particularly on platforms like TikTok where he has garnered a substantial following, even surpassing icons like Bob Dylan.

The documentary, “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley,” made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24, offering audiences a poignant insight into the life and artistry of the enigmatic musician. The film’s exploration of Buckley’s journey, from his acclaimed cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” to his impactful album “Grace,” seeks to immortalise his contributions to the music world. Through firsthand accounts and archival materials, viewers are invited to delve into the complexities of Buckley’s persona and the enduring impact of his music.

As audiences anticipate the release of “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley,” the resonance of Buckley’s music continues to captivate a new generation of listeners. Berg’s meticulous curation of Buckley’s legacy serves as a testament to the enduring power of his artistry, ensuring that his music transcends generational boundaries. Brad Pitt’s unwavering support for the documentary reflects a shared commitment to honouring Buckley’s memory and preserving his musical legacy for audiences around the world.