Iron Maiden's creative director Ben Smallwood is helping tell their story

Iron Maiden’s creative director Ben Smallwood, born in 1992, the same year Fear Of The Dark was released, discusses his relationship with the band and their new film, Burning Ambition. Growing up around the band as the son of manager Rod, Smallwood recounts his early life on the road and his return to Iron Maiden, where he co-produced Burning Ambition, a film shaped by fans' stories and emotions. Smallwood explains that fans, including actors like Javier Bardem and Public Enemy’s Chuck D, journalists, retired police officers, CEOs, and even his father, contributed to the film’s narrative. The casting team reached out globally, and fans’ stories influenced the film’s emotional depth. Smallwood highlights that the film aims to reveal more about band members’ personalities, using archival footage from 1983 and animated sequences, such as Eddie in a straitjacket, to illustrate key moments. Burning Ambition is part of Iron Maiden’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, alongside the official book Infinite Dreams and this summer’s Eddfest. Smallwood emphasizes that Knebworth will be an unforgettable experience, offering general admission tickets with access to the Infinite Dreams Museum, showcasing props seen only in live shows. Smallwood shares his favorite Iron Maiden songs, mentioning Phantom Of The Opera, Killers, and The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, which always energize him. Burning Ambition will premiere internationally on May 7, with interviews from Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, and Adrian Smith in the new issue of Classic Rock.