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Beatles movie ‘Midas Man’ comes together in the end

Midas Man filming

Four acting newcomers take on the task of playing the Beatles

James Loxley/PA
Sam Montgomery

By Sam Montgomery


Published: 09/06/2023

- 17:48

The fate of highly-anticipated Beatles manager biopic is finally sealed as a third director steps in to save the day

A film chronicling the life and times of Beatles manager Brian Epstein has limped over the line to post-production following a rollercoaster shooting process.

The third and final film director, Joe Stephenson, was hired earlier this year to steady the ship and wrap up the film.


Stephenson, who has also been working as a director on the new Doctor Jekyll filming featuring Eddie Izzard due to be released in September, picked up the baton from filmmaker Sara Sugarman.

Sugarman, whose credits include the films Vinyl, Save the Cinema, and Disney's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen starring Lindsay Lohan, left the production after reported creative differences and scheduling issues.

The Beatles

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Sugarman had herself taken the reins from Jonas Åkerlund of Polar (2019) fame in late 2021, who also fell out with the producers.

Åkerlund’s departure put filming on ice as Sugarman got up to speed over Christmas 2021, and then the production was delayed further when lead actor Jacob Fortune-Lloyd had to abide by previous shooting commitments.

The biopic features The Queen’s Gambit actor Fortunie-Lloyd as Brian Epstein, Lukas Gage, Emily Watson, Eddie Marsan, Bill Milner, Rosie Day as Cilla Black and Jay Leno as Ed Sullivan.

The Beatles themselves are being by four fresh-faced newcomers with Jonah Lees as John Lennon, musician Blake Richardson as Paul McCartney, Leo Harvey Elledge as George Harrison, and Campbell Wallace as drummer Ringo Starr.

Brian Epstein

Epstein guided the band to stardom between 1962 and 1967

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Brian Epstein discovered the band playing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1961, becoming their manager in 1962 and representing the band until his untimely death from an overdose in 1967 at the age of 32.

Epstein also managed Billy J. Kramer, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and the Dakotas.

Producer Perry Trevers told Deadline: “Unfortunately the delays to principal photography starting meant that changes to key members of our team were inevitable.

"In the process we were delighted to be able to secure the services of Joe Stephenson who is someone we have watched from afar for some time."

The Beatles

PA

Trevers added: With principal photography now being finished we are incredibly happy at what has been shot and look forward with excitement at being able to share it with the world.”

Joe Stephenson said: “When I was approached to take the helm of Midas Man, I didn’t have to think twice.

"The last twelve weeks have been an epic journey and I can’t thank my cast and crew enough.

"The Brian Epstein story has needed to be told for years and I’m honoured to finally bring it to the big screen.”

Åkerlund won a Grammy in 2014 for the Sir Paul McCartney concer film Live Kisses and has since commented that he regrets “that things haven’t turned out as we had planned on Midas Man.”

He went on to “wish Jacob and the team the best with the film.”

The tease tagline for the film said: “On Thursday 9th of November 1961 a man named Brian descended the stairs to a cellar in Liverpool and changed the world forever.”

Midas Man does not currently have a confirmed release date.