From “The Tonight Show” stage to the sound stage.
Jay Leno is set to play legendary television personality Ed Sullivan in “Midas Man,” the upcoming drama about Beatles manager Brian Epstein, Deadline reported.
The British rock band made a plethora of appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show” throughout the 1960s. In February 1964 alone, the Fab Four stopped by Sullivan’s eponymous variety show on three separate occasions.
“Midas Man” is in production and will chronicle the life and rise to fame of Epstein. Jacob Fortune-Lloyd of “The Queen’s Gambit” will star as the group’s manager alongside Emily Watson, Eddie Marsan and Rosie Day. No word yet on who will be playing the band’s members.
“The Ed Sullivan Show” ran from 1948 until 1971.
Ed Sullivan (left) chats with Beatles members John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney in 1964.APDirector Jonas Akerlund was on board to direct the feature, however, after his departure earlier this month, “House of Versace” director Sara Sugarman is now at the helm.
Akerlund told Deadline at the time of his exit, “I regret that things haven’t turned out as we had planned on ‘Midas Man.’ I wish Jacob [Fortune-Lloyd] and the team the best with the film.”
“The Ed Sullivan Show” ran from 1948 until 1971.Getty ImagesSources told Variety that the music video director won’t be continuing his involvement with the project. “The director of ‘Midas Man’ Jonas Akerlund is taking a break from the film,” said Perry Trevers, co-founder at StudioPOW, who is producing the project told the outlet.
Filming started in Liverpool last month and was put on hold until Nov. 29. The film will begin shooting in the US in January.
