The Beatles
Peyton Reed has signed on to direct 'The Fifth Beatle'.
The man behind 'Bring It On' and 'The Break-Up' has been announced as director for the film adaptation of the New York Times best-selling graphic novel, which chronicles the final years of The Beatles' founder and manager, Brian Epstein.
Producing the film will be Academy Award winner Bruce Cohen and Tony Award winner Vivek J. Tiwary, who wrote the graphic novel and the screenplay.
The film is set to begin production in 2014 with the casting underway now that the director is confirmed.
Reed said: "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."
'The Fifth Beatle' will be the first feature film based on the legendary British rockers to secure the rights to their songs and will recount the untold story of the man who helped guide them to international stardom.
Cohen and Tiwary said of Peyton's appointment: "Peyton's films are incredibly fun and entertaining, while still underscoring a serious empathy for the struggle for accomplishment, belonging, and the need to love and be loved.
"In brief, Peyton is simply the perfect director to take the Brian Epstein story to the big screen. We're honoured and excited to be working with him!"