Documentary about Ozzy Osbourne’s health issues and Black Sabbath farewell concert in the works

Ozzy Osbourne is the subject of a new Paramount+ documentary, titled No Escape From Now, which will centre on the singer’s health issues and upcoming farewell concert with Black Sabbath.

The project is currently in the production phase and is expected to premiere later this year. It will chronicle the “devastating setbacks” the frontman has “faced since his fateful fall in 2019”, according to Variety. 

According to the documentary’s logline, “This is Ozzy Osbourne like you’ve never seen before: an honest, warm and deeply personal portrait of one of the greatest rock stars of all-time, detailing how the singer’s world shuddered to a halt six years ago, forcing him to contemplate who he really is, confront his own mortality and question whether or not he can ever perform on stage for one last time”.

No Escape From Now will address Osbourne’s health issues and the impact of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, unveiling the formidable role of music in the singer’s life, while also showing that his playful sense of humour remains intact against all odds.

Directed by BAFTA winner Tania Alexander (Gogglebox), the documentary began filming in 2022 during the sessions for Osbourne’s 13th studio album Patient Number 9 - which Hot Press' Edwin McFee called "thunderous" - and will continue through what Osbourne is calling his final performance with Black Sabbath in his hometown of Birmingham on 5th July.

“The last six years have been full of some of the worst times I’ve been through. There’s been times when I thought my number was up,” Osbourne said in a statement. “But making music and making two albums saved me. I’d have gone nuts without music.

“My fans have supported me for so many years, and I really want to thank them and say a proper goodbye to them. That is what the Villa Park show is about.”

Osbourne’s wife Sharon and their children are set to feature in the doc, as well as Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Billy Idol, Maynard James Keenan of Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, guitarist Zakk Wylde, producer Andrew Wyatt and friend/musician Billy Morrison.

Sharon Osbourne, who is slated as a producer, says the documentary will offer “an honest account of what has happened to Ozzy during the last few years”.

“It shows how hard things have been for him and the courage he has shown while dealing with a number of serious health issues, including Parkinson’s,” she continues. “It’s about the reality of his life now. We have worked with a production team we trust and have allowed them the freedom to tell the story openly. We hope that story will inspire people that are facing similar issues to Ozzy”.