Midas Man

Midas Man is a 2024 British biographical film about the life of music entrepreneur Brian Epstein, who managed The Beatles. Based on a story and screenplay by Brigit Grant, the film is directed by Joe Stephenson, previous directors Sara Sugarman and Jonas Åkerlund having moved on from the project. After starting filming in October 2021, there were various hold-ups until it resumed in 2023, finishing in June.

It premiered at the 32nd Toronto Jewish Film Festival on May 30, 2024.

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd stars in the lead role, alongside Emily Watson, Eddie Marsan, Omari Douglas, Darci Shaw, Ed Speleers, Charley Palmer Rothwell, Bill Milner, Jay Leno, and Blake Richardson.

Premise
The film tracks how Brian Epstein rose to prominence by managing a series of popular artists including The Beatles, Cilla Black and Gerry and the Pacemakers before his sudden death in 1967 at the age of 32.

Development


Midas Man is a biographical film about Brian Epstein based on a story and screenplay by Brigit Grant. It is a British co-production between Studio POW and Trevor Beattie Films. It is also produced by Er Dong Pictures, who will distribute the film in China. In July 2020, Jonas Åkerlund was announced to direct. In an interview with The Guardian, Åkerlund said he had been researching Epstein for almost two years. He also said he had talked with people who knew Epstein, including Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers: "He told me stories that haven't been printed yet and that we'll introduce into our film." In April 2021, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd was cast in the lead role as Brian Epstein. In July, the film's distribution rights in the U.K. and Ireland were sold to Signature Entertainment. In the following months, Emily Watson, Eddie Marsan and Omari Douglas were cast in September, and Rosie Day, Lukas Gage, Charley Palmer Rothwell and Bill Milner were cast in October.

Filming
The planned 12-week shoot began in Liverpool on 11 October 2021. Principal photography, however, was put on hiatus for three weeks after Åkerlund left the production in November. An issued statement made the claim that filming would continue that same month in London and move to Los Angeles, California, in early January. Sara Sugarman was hired as Åkerlund's replacement, with no reshoots expected to take place, and filming scheduled to start again soon. In late November, Jay Leno, Jonah Lees, Blake Richardson, Leo Harvey Elledge, Campbell Wallace and Adam Lawrence joined the cast and a first-look image was released featuring several cast members at Abbey Road Studios. An issued statement said that after a three month break, filming would begin in the U.S. in late January 2022 before returning to the U.K.

Filming ended up being on hiatus for over a year, before finally taking place in May 2023 in Blackpool. The following month, it was reported that Joe Stephenson had taken over as director from Sugarman, who reportedly left due to scheduling issues and creative differences. Principal photography was completed by Stephenson. It was also reported that Eddie Izzard, Ed Speleers, Darci Shaw, and Milo Parker had joined the cast; Speleers and Shaw replaced Lukas Gage and Rosie Day, respectively.

Release
On 30 May 2024, Midas Man hold its Candadian premier at the 32nd Toronto Jewish Film Festival. It was shown as the opening night film. Studio POW and American Entertainment Investors sold North American distribution rights to Briarcliff Entertainment.