The much-anticipated biopic of Beatles manager Brian Epstein now has a director and a start date.

Filmmaker Peyton Reed has signed on to direct The Fifth Beatle, which will be based on Vivek J. Tiwary's graphic novel about the music mogul behind the Fab Four.

Casting for Epstein's role will begin in the new year (14).

Epstein, who also booked gigs for the Who and Cream and helped Jimi Hendrix break big in the U.K., was largely responsible for the Beatles' early success. He died in 1967 at the age of 32.

Reed, whose film credits include Bring it On, Yes Man and The Break Up, says, "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. He's the ultimate outsider who, against all odds, became the ultimate insider."