Irish actor Kenneth Branagh is to direct the long-awaited Bee Gees biopic

Oscar-nominated actor Kenneth Branagh is set to direct the upcoming Bee Gees biopic for Paramount Pictures.

According to the reports, the project is still in the early stages of development, with Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment among the producers.

It is also said that the Bee Gees' only living member Barry Gibb will also serve as an executive producer on the yet-to-be-titled biopic.

Belfast-born Branagh is best known for his roles in My Week with Marilyn, Hamlet, Wild Wild West, The Boat That Rocked, Valkyrie and Henry V.

He's also directed Thor, Cinderella, Murder on the Orient Express, and the upcoming Death on the Nile and Belfast.

The update comes after it was previously reported that Bradley Cooper was in talks to play Barry in the upcoming film.

The movie is set to follow the group from the time they arrived in London from Australia and had their first number one hit with 'Massachusetts' in 1967.

The following years saw the band face struggles with addiction issues before their rise to global prominence with the iconic disco soundtrack to John Travolta music Saturday Night Fever.

Upon details of the biopic emerging in 2019, it was reported that Paramount had purchased the rights to the Bee Gees' songs from the Gibb Estate, allowing material from the disco band’s extensive back catalogue to feature in the movie.

Further details on the upcoming project – including a title, casting and release date – have not yet been confirmed.

Maurice passed away from complications of a twisted intestine at 53 in 2003 while Robin, his twin, lost a battle with cancer aged 62 in 2012.

Another brother in the family, Andy, died at age 30, in 1988.