Before The Beatles became the biggest musical act of all time, they were just a bunch of working class guys playing in a Liverpool basement – that is, until Brian Epstein saw their true potential. The man behind the Fab Four will soon be revealed in The Fifth Beatle, a big screen adaptation of the best-selling graphic novel from writer Vivek J. Tiwary. Now, after years in development, the project has finally announced a director.
According to THR, Peyton Reed (Bring It On) has signed on to helm the film, which recounts Epstein’s final years before his untimely death of a drug overdose at the age of 32. He’ll work off a screenplay by Tiwary, who is also producing alongside Oscar-winning producer, Bruce Cohen (American Beauty, Silver Linings Playbook). In a statement, Reed revealed his motivations for taking on the young entrepreneur’s untold story, saying:
“From the moment I read Vivek’s graphic novel, I knew I wanted to be the person to bring Brian’s story to the big screen. I’m a lifelong Beatles fan, obviously, but it’s Brian’s fascinating life that really blew me away and drew me to this project. He’s the ultimate outsider who, against all odds, became the ultimate insider. He was responsible for shepherding the most popular artistic expression of ‘love’ in the history of modern culture, and yet he wasn’t allowed to express his own love during that time.”
The director’s description isn’t far off – in real-life, the Jewish, secretly homosexual Epstein overcame prejudice to become a highly successful music manager. Apparently, his legacy has left an impression on multiple filmmakers, as Benedict Cumberbatch just joined an Epstein biopic from Sherlock director Paul McGuigan and screenwriter Todd Graff (Joyful Noise). What they don’t have – and The Fifth Beatle does – are The Beatles music rights and unprecedented access to the Lennon/McCartney music catalog.
Casting of the lead role will begin now that Reed is on board. The film slated to begin production in 2014.
What do think of Peyton Reed’s involvement in the project?