Photo: WENN.com

Sherlock Holmes star Benedict Cumberbatch is set to play Brian Epstein in a new movie, the man who dubbed the 'fifth Beatle' by Paul McCartney.

The new biopic will reunite Cumberbatch with the director of Sherlock Holmes, Paul McGuian, who will also helm the new, as-yet-untitled movie. Epstein was the manager of The Beatles, and was the man who signed the Beatles in 1961. He died in 1967 after an accidental overdose on sleeping pills.

Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks is one of the producers on the movie, and the movie is being billed as "the man who threw the biggest party of the '60s but ultimately forgot to invite himself."

The Beatles have been in the new recently after McCartney discussed long-running rumours that Lennon's wife Yoko Ono was responsible for the break up of the band.

Fans sign a giant replica of The Beatles' contract in 2009

"She certainly didn't break the group up," says McCartney in the upcoming TV interview. "I don't think you can blame her for anything."

McCartney also adds that Lennon was 'definitely' going to leave the band - with or without the influence of Ono.

Photos: the greatest ever music biopics