The Queen’s Gambit star Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Wolf Hall, Medici) is to play the lead role of Brian Epstein in Midas, a feature film about The Beatles music manager and impresario.
Midas Man will be directed by Jonas Åkerlund (Polar, Lords of Chaos), who is also a Grammy winning music director for talent such as Paul McCartney, Madonna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, U2, The Rolling Stones And Ozzy Osbourne. Åkerlund will also have creative input on the film’s soundtrack.
Charting Brian Epstein’s role in the cultural revolution and creative explosion of the 1960s, the film will highlight his unparalleled yet often unheralded influence on pop music, and its impact worldwide.
Midas Man is produced by Kevin Proctor and Perry Trevers at StudioPOW (Funny Cow, Cordelia) and Trevor Beattie and Jeremy Chatterton at Trevor Beattie Films (Moon, Attacking The Devil, Nureyev, Spitfire) and Peter Dunne and Mark Borkowski are executive producers.
Twickenham Studios Chairman and co-owner Sunny Vohra and Managing Partner Jeremy Rainbird will also serve as executive producers. Midas Man is being produced in association with Er Dong Pictures who will also be distributing the film in Greater China.
A new addition to the film’s producing party as Executive Producer, is Lionsgate’s ex-President UK and Europe, Nicola Pearcey of new media venture Picnik Entertainment, who is working in partnership with Studiopow in optimising their Film and TV slate (scripted and non-scripted).
Jonas Åkerlund said: “It is a tall order to fill Brian’s shoes, and Jacob is the perfect performer. He is charismatic and dark at the same time, balancing that emotional range where you’re not sure if you’re in love with him or terribly empathetic with the inner turmoil of his character. No one could bring Brian to life better.”
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd said: “It’s a huge privilege to play Brian Epstein, a man who made such an important and lasting cultural impact, but who struggled to find a secure place in a world he helped to shape. He was a fascinating person with great talent, ambition, and courage, and I’m so honoured to be given the opportunity to represent him. Jonas is the perfect person to bring this story to life, his work is visually stunning, visceral, and bold. I can’t wait to start working together.”
This original screenplay is based on a screen story by Brigit Grant and written by Jonathan Wakeham (Misanthrope). The casting director is Dan Hubbard CDG CSA (Bourne Ultimatum, Wrath of Man, Captain Phillips, Damned United).
Worldwide sales for Midas Man will be managed by Mister Smith Entertainment whose founder David Garrett will spearhead the global sales campaign.
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd is represented worldwide by Alex Irwin at Markham Froggatt & Irwin.
Jonathan Wakeham is represented by Humphrey Elles-Hill at Independent Talent.
Midas Man will be filming at Twickenham Studios and on location in London, Liverpool, and the US.
Jon Creamer
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