Classic punk band The Ramones are getting the Hollywood treatment. Revered film director Martin Scorsese has signed on to direct a new biopic, which will be released in 2016, marking the 40th anniversary of the band’s quintessential self-titled debut album.

The announcement comes in the aftermath of Tommy Ramone’s unfortunate passing. It seems that his death has reunited the estates of Johnny and Joey Ramone, who were engaged in a bitter feud for some time now. At the 10th annual Johnny Ramone tribute in Hollywood, which was attended by Steve Jones, Fred Armisen, Billy Idol (who performed a Ramones song), the family announced that all future tributes would encompass the whole band.

According to Johnny Ramone’s estate manager, Jeff Jampol, “That was probably the last Johnny Ramone tribute you’re gonna see. We’re gonna do something moving forward, but it’s gonna be Ramones. We’re all gonna focus on the Ramones, and it’s that whole thing of, ‘United we stand, divided we fall.’ The legacy is the Ramones, the music is the Ramones, it was the four of them – it was Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy, and everybody is cooperating and moving in one direction together as a team.”

Johnny’s widow, Linda Ramone, addressed how Tommy’s passing reunited the two estates. “With Tommy up there now with them it even feels more like, ‘Wow, they are all gone.’ I spoke to Tommy every week and the legacy was really important to him too.”

Upcoming commemorative projects include a documentary, a theatrical play, a book, fashion product placement, and the Martin Scorsese film. While fans will have to wait two years before the biopic film debuts, Jampol explains that The Ramones true 40th anniversary is 2016.

“[The Ramones] got together in ’74, they started playing some shows, they were a small local band, but the world became aware of the Ramones when they released their first record in ’76. And that’s the year we’re celebrating.” 

[Via Billboard]