The Queens Gambit star Jacob Fortune-Lloyd will play Beatles manager Brian Epstein in the first feature film about his life.
Midas Man will be directed by Jonas Åkerlund and will explore Epstein's role in the 1960s cultural revolution as well as his unparalleled yet often unheralded influence on pop music across the globe.
Fortune-Lloyd featured alongside Anya Taylor-Joy as chess prodigy-turned-journalist Townes in the Netflix hit series The Queen’s Gambit.
The rising British actor has also starred in the BBC’s adaptation of Wolf Hall and Capri Award-winning historical drama series Medici.
His film credits include S tar Wars: Rise of Skywalker and Agatha Christie adaptation Crooked House alongside Gillian Anderson and Glenn Close. Fortune-Lloyd has also performed on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He 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."
Music legend Epstein was born on Rodney Street, Liverpool, in 1934. He was put in charge of the record department of his family's store NEMS on Great Charlotte Street and was working there when he discovered The Beatles playing at The Cavern Club.
He also managed Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black and Billy J Kramer. His life was marred by having to keep his homosexuality secret and he died of an overdose of sleeping pills in 1967.
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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."
Midas Man is an original screenplay based on a screen story by Brigit Grant and written by Jonathan Wakeman. It will be shot at Twickenham Studios and on location in London, Liverpool and the US.
