Sources told the publication that Morgen has been working on the Bowie film — which has yet to announce a title — for the past four years. A source also said the film is “neither documentary nor biography, but an immersive cinematic experience built, in part, upon thousands of hours of never before seen material.” That’s not unlike Morgen’s 2015 “Montage of Heck,” which blended more traditional documentary elements with expressionistic collages and artwork to explore the life and times of Nirvana frontman Cobain.

Reportedly, the Bowie project will also feature live concert footage in a central role, and that Morgen is eyeing a release in IMAX. Along with directing, Morgen (who received a Best Documentary Feature Oscar nomination in 2000 for boxing doc “On the Ropes”) also does writing, producing, and editing duties. Related A Theme Park Ride of Sound: Remixing David Bowie for ‘Moonage Daydream’ ‘Moonage Daydream’: How Brett Morgen Cut His Mind-Blowing David Bowie Documentary Related Oscars 2023: Best Visual Effects Predictions Growing Number of Contenders Makes 2023 Best International Feature Race Less Predictable
The announcement could mean the film will wind up in play at the upcoming 2022 Sundance Film Festival, resuming an in-person event after going mostly virtual in January 2021. Morgen has been a Sundance mainstay, and a Park City bow in January would fall just after the six-year anniversary of Bowie’s death on January 10. The untitled Bowie project also has a seasoned pedigree below the line, with Bowie’s longtime music producer Tony Visconti on board, as well as the Oscar-winning sound team behind “Bohemian Rhapsody,” who will mix and sound-design the project. The film’s credentials also include re-recording mixers Paul Massey and David Giammarco, who worked on “Ford v Ferrari.” The sound design team also includes John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone, Oscar winners for Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Morgen’s film was made in cooperation with David Bowie’s state. While Bowie’s widow, Iman, has been firm about not authorizing a proper biopic of Bowie’s life, this film offers something approximate to such a tribute. She told Variety previously, “It’s always a no,” when asked about a possible fictionalized biopic. “We always ask each other, ‘Would he do it?’ He wouldn’t.” The closest thing to a Bowie-esque biopic might be Todd Haynes’ 1998 “Velvet Goldmine,” named after one of the singer’s classics, but for which Bowie opted not to license his music. A documentary approach appears to be the way to go for Bowie’s family. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.