Apple Original Films has unveiled plans for a definitive new documentary on Fleetwood Mac. Directed by five-time Oscar nominee Frank Marshall, the film will feature unseen footage as the group tells their story in their own words.
While the documentary remains untitled, Fleetwood Mac’s Instagram hinted at a possible connection to their iconic 1977 album, Rumours, with the caption: “It’s not a Rumour.” A release date has not yet been announced.
The project promises to chronicle Fleetwood Mac’s tumultuous 50-year journey, from the meeting in 1974 (the most recognisable line-up) all the way through to the present day. The film will delve into the band’s personal and professional highs and lows, including the interpersonal drama that inspired much of Rumours.
The 1977 album Rumours became one of the best selling albums of all-time, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide. In fact, it was the tenth best-selling album on vinyl in 2023, with 323,000 certified sales. The album is well-known for its lyrical content which addresses the personal turmoils of the musicians. Take ‘Dreams’ by Stevie Nicks, and ‘Go Your Own Way’ by Lindsey Buckingham; both address the pair’s breakup from different viewpoints.
Director Frank Marshall, whose work includes acclaimed music documentaries like ‘The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart‘, expressed his admiration for Fleetwood Mac’s ability to transform their chaotic personal lives into timeless music. “This will be a film about the music and the people who created it,” he said.
The creative team also includes Emmy-winning writer Mark Monroe, who previously collaborated with Marshall on Disney+ show ‘The Beach Boys’. Producers Nicholas Ferrall and Jeanne Elfant Festa, who have both worked with Marshall and Monroe before, are on board as well.
Fans can expect exclusive new interviews with band members Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks, as well as archival footage of the late Christine McVie. The film aims to explore the chemistry between the group and their creative process, which has helped them sell over 140 million records worldwide.
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The announcement comes as Apple TV+ continues to expand its music documentary catalogue, following hits like ‘Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me’ and ‘Beastie Boys Story’. This may be Apple’s strategy to compete with Disney+ and Netflix, both of whom have found success with shows like ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ and ‘Wham!’.
Fleetwood Mac remains culturally relevant, even with a much younger audience, with their song ‘Dreams’ going viral on TikTok in 2020 thanks to a video of a man skateboarding with cranberry juice. The band’s popularity ensures a well-established audience for the documentary, tapping into a streaming trend driven by nostalgia.
@420doggface208
♬ Dreams (2004 Remaster) – Fleetwood Mac
A 2021 Vice report on the rise of music documentaries and biopics attributes their success to familiar fan bases and easy accessibility. However, the genres face challenges of oversaturation, as seen with the mixed reception to recent biopics such as, ‘Bob Marley: One Love’. With Christine McVie’s passing in 2022, any possibility of a full reunion has been ruled out. This film will likely serve as the band’s definitive statement, offering glimpses of some of the most definitive moments in the history of the group, and could be some of the last original material we see of them.
Not *The* Fleetwood Mac, though. The second Fleetwood Mac.
— Angus (@gibsona07) November 19, 2024
On X (formerly Twitter), one user questioned the absence of Peter Green in Apple’s announcement. The guitarist was one of the founders of the original incarnation of the group, which was called ‘Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac’. He left the group in 1970 after struggling with his mental health, and was diagnosed with schizophrenia four years later.
While we don’t know exactly when the documentary will drop, or even what it will be called, there is already a considerable amount of excitement online. With Marshall, Monroe, and the rest of the team leading the project, this will be a must-watch for any music fan.
