John, Paul, George and Ringo have been cast
After the announcement of Jay Leno playing talk-show host Ed Sullivan earlier this week, news of the Beatles casting has also been released. The biopic focuses on The Beatles manager Epstein.
Jonah Lees ('The Letter For The King') will portray John Lennon. Musician Blake Richardson, from the band New Hope Club, will appear as Paul McCartney.
Leo Harvey-Elledge, who played Liam Gallagher in 'Creation Stories', plays George Harrison. Campbell Wallace appears as Ringo Starr.
Jacob Fortune-Lloyd has already been cast in the lead role of Epstein.
Emily Watson ('Gosford Park') will play Epstein's mother Malka. Eddie Marsan ('Ridley Road') plays his father Harry with Omari Douglas ('It’s a Sin') also playing his friend Lonnie Trimble.
Other cast members include Rosie Day ('Outlander') as Beatles contemporary Cilla Black, Lukas Gage ('Euphoria') as Tex Ellington and Charley Palmer Rothwell ('Jack Ryan') as record producer George Martin.
Director Jonas Åkerlund parted ways with the production just three weeks into shooting, forcing the film to temporarily shut down.
Subsequently, 'Vinyl' director Sara Sugarman replaced the Swedish director.
"The actors playing the Beatles are an extraordinary group. They ooze that very visceral feeling of the ’60s, are charming, playful, and so authentic," Sugarman said in a statement.
"I have no doubt that Jay Leno will capture the essence of Ed Sullivan perfectly. His own experience as an American television host will bring forward a natural, and accurate portrayal and add an incredible element of modern showbiz to the story."
Filming began last month in Liverpool but had to be put on hold for three weeks due to the directorial change. The shoot will move over to the U.S. early next year.
'Midas Men' has no release date as of yet.