The Eisner Award-winning graphic novel The Fifth Beatle:  The Story of Brian Epstein has been optioned by Sonar Entertainment for development as a multi-part TV event series, according to Deadline.  The film had previously been in development as a feature film, most recently by Simon Cowell (see “Fifth Beatle’ Film Starts Over with Simon Cowell”), and earlier by Bruce Cohen (see “The ‘Fifth Beatle’ Biopic”).

The good news is that the rights to use John Lennon – Paul McCartney song catalogue are part of all three deals, the first time Beatles songs have been available for a filmed biography. 

Graphic novel writer Vivek J. Tiwary will write the adaptation for television and serve as executive producer.  Art on the graphic novel was by Andrew C. Robinson and Kyle Baker.