Robert Zemeckis's Yellow Submarine may have hit the ocean floor Das Boot-style, but his old pal Ron Howard has taken on the mantle of making a Beatles movie and keeping fans of the mop-topped popsters - which, let's face it, is everyone - in good cheer. The so-far untitled documentary will be directed by Howard and focus on the early years of the Fab Four's career, culminating in their last public concert in 1966 (not counting the impromptu rooftop gig in 1969).
Beatles fans should expect something special. The film, a co-production involving The Beatles' own label Apple Corps and Howard's producer partner Brian Grazer, has the full co-operation of Paul, Ringo, Yoko and George Harrison's widow Olivia and will feature never-before-seen footage of the band from fans all over the globe.
'“I am excited and honored to be working with Apple and the White Horse team on this astounding story of these four young men who stormed the world in 1964," says Howard. "Their impact on popular culture and the human experience cannot be exaggerated."
Howard will pick up the story with the band’s early days gigging at the Cavern Club in Liverpool and in Hamburg, and run up to their last major concert in San Francisco. It will delve deep into the phenomenon that is Beatlemania in all its wonderful, and sometimes weird, guises. Yes, this film will have the power to cure Bieber fever.
Head over to the official website for more details. Howard, of course, has the small matter of maritime epic **Heart Of The Sea to keep him occupied and a narc drama, Mena, on the boil.
Photo credit ©Apple Corps Ltd.