Fan CastingFree Bird: The Ronnie Van Zant Story

Free Bird tells the electrifying yet profoundly human story of Ronnie Van Zant, the legendary frontman of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The film is a raw, authentic journey through the rise of Southern rock, anchored in the spirit, grit, and heartbreak of one of rock 'n' roll’s most enigmatic figures. Opening in Jacksonville, Florida, Free Bird follows Ronnie from his scrappy beginnings in a working-class neighborhood to his meteoric rise as the voice of a generation. A natural-born leader with a rebellious streak and boundless talent, Ronnie dreamed of using music to tell the stories of the South—stories of pride, struggle, resilience, and community. With scenes that capture the fire and intensity of early Skynyrd rehearsals, the tension of their climb, and the raw energy of their performances, viewers will be immersed in the turbulent world of 1970s rock and the complex character at its center.