Beatles Biopic About Brian Epstein Teased by Midas Man Director

As a gamer with a penchant for both movies and gaming, I must say that the upcoming projects by Joe Stephenson have piqued my interest significantly. The British filmmaker has shown a knack for tackling complex characters and narratives, as evident in his latest works like Doctor Jekyll and Midas Man.

We spoke with British filmmaker Joe Stephenson amid the release of his new Hammer Films release Doctor Jekyll, which sees the great Eddie Izzard tackling the famed dual role in modern perfection. Stephenson has kept busy with another buzzy British-centric project of late: Midas Man, the highly anticipated biopic about Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

Stephenson shared with MovieWeb that the cast is exceptional. “We have Emily Watson and Eddie Marsan portraying Brian’s parents, and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, an actor on the rise. Many might not know it, but Jacob has been a part of excellent productions before, and he truly shines in this role as Brian. His acting is remarkable and moving to watch… It was delightful working with everyone. They were all superb.”

Jay Leno makes a charming appearance, briefly showing up. There’s a brief interaction between the characters representing Brian and Ed Sullivan, portrayed by Leno himself.

Stephenson shared his distinct tale of joining the production of “Midas Man,” replacing two directors who had previously departed from a project that had faced delays. “I joined later,” said Stephenson. “In the end, I directed approximately 90% of the movie.” He was fortunate to assemble his team and discover his interpretation of the film. Later in the conversation, he elaborated on the film’s nature.

“In many aspects, it’s deeply sorrowful, yet it’s also a heartfelt tribute to Brian, commemorating his life in all its complexities… And my dear Beatles, they are simply remarkable! I can hardly wait for you to get acquainted with them. This has been quite the journey, one that I didn’t embark on from the start. But now, it’s complete. It’s sealed. It’s being released, and I’m thrilled about it!”

Joe Stephenson Directed a ‘More Radical’ Jekyll

Before the much-anticipated “Midas Man” hits North American screens, movie enthusiasts can catch the newly released horror film “Doctor Jekyll,” penned by Neil Gaiman and Stephen King collaborator Peter Straub. In this adaptation, trans actor Eddie Izzard portrays the title character, an openly transgender Doctor Jekyll. However, the narrative does not heavily emphasize this aspect of the character; it’s subtly introduced at the beginning and subsequently remains secondary to the main storyline.

Stephenson explained to us that the story wasn’t intended to revolve around gender. Instead, they explored diverse options for casting and engaged in meaningful discussions. When Eddie was brought on board, it became a question of whether making the character trans would align naturally with the plot or if it might alter the narrative. He further added:

“In essence, it seemed to me that what was truly groundbreaking wasn’t focusing on a character’s trans status within the narrative. Instead, it should be portrayed like any other person who happens to be trans, living their life without their trans identity defining their story or daily experiences.”

As a passionate fan, I’m thrilled to share that starting August 2, 2024, the captivating Hammer Films adaptation of “Doctor Jekyll” will grace U.S. theaters and digital platforms! If you can’t wait to witness this masterpiece, simply head over to digital platforms like Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, or stream it on Prime Video via the link provided below. Enjoy the chilling journey of Dr. Jekyll like never before!

Watch Doctor Jekyll

2024-08-03 02:33

Joe Stephenson Directed a ‘More Radical’ Jekyll

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