Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It
With his signature gospel sound on the Hammond B3, Billy Preston doublehandedly elevated the greatest artists of his time – from the Beatles to the Rolling Stones, from Aretha Franklin to Eric Clapton, from Ray Charles to Barbra Streisand to Sly and the Family Stone. In our film, we explore Billy's career and influence on generations of musicians, as he scored several number one hits of his own and became one of the most sought-after musicians in the world. He did all of this as a soul divided -- by his deep roots in the church, in constant conflict with his identity as a gay Black man, searching for a family of his own that would accept him for who he was.
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Cast
14 people
Billy Preston
Self
Also in
Blues Brothers 2000
Good News
Ringo Starr
Self
Known for
Caveman
A Hard Day's Night
Olivia Harrison
Self
Eric Clapton
Self
Known for
Tommy
Gloria Jones
Self
Also in
Marc Bolan & T. Rex - Born to Boogie
Marc Bolan: The Final Word
Suzanne de Passe
Self
Also in
SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)
Merry Clayton
Self
Known for
Cagney & Lacey
Maid to Order
Billy Porter
Self
Known for
POSE
Cinderella
Cory Henry
Self
Also in
Saturday Night
Robert Margouleff
Self
Also in
Devolution: A Devo Theory
Bill Maxwell
Self
Sam Moore
Self
Known for
Tapeheads
Paris Barclay Director · Cheo Hodari Coker Writer Ernesto Lomeli Cinematographer
United States release February 20, 2026 · Produced in United States · Production Homegrown Pictures, Concord Originals
Production
White Horse Pictures
Production
Homegrown Pictures
Production
Concord Originals
Production
Impact Partners
Production
Chicago Media Project
Production
Play/Action Pictures
Production
Polygram Entertainment
Production
Sobey Road Entertainment
Production
Abramorama
Production
United States
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
United States · March 8, 2024
Premiere · SXSW Film & TV Festival
United States · February 20, 2026
Limited theatrical
United States
August 2, 2024 · Premiere · Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
October 6, 2024 · Premiere · Mill Valley Film Festival
January 4, 2025 · Premiere · Palm Springs International Film Festival
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Some details come from TheTVDB.