The biography of eighties pop rocker Eddie van Halen will be published in 2015. Eruption was written by Paul Brannigan, who also penned the best-selling Dave Grohl bio, This is a Call, and an upcoming, two-volume treatment of enduring metal band Metallica. Brannigan will cover van Halen’s fast-paced journey, from the group’s first appearance in 1978 through its influence on American rock culture, against the backdrop of the kind of partying you’d expect from one of the founders of glam rock. [via Book Trade]

Forest Whitaker will play Colin Powell, in the first film to focus on the former U.S. Secretary of State’s life. Tentatively titled “Powell,” the biopic will be scripted by Ed Whitworth -- who boasts the writing of “Reykjavik,” too -- and take a close look at the days that led up to the first Iraq war, including the infamous 2002 White House speech to the United Nations that paved the way. Release date and other cast members are yet to be announced. [via Vibe]

The biopic “The Fifth Beatle” -- the title comes from Paul McCartney’s term of endearment for the band’s first manager -- will begin shooting in 2014. The film looks at Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein and will be the first Fab Four feature film to use the group’s original recordings, and trace Epstein’s life from his discovery of the quartet while on a lunch break at the Cavern Club, to his death by in 1967 at the age of sixty-two. [via The Guardian]

Morrisey’s Autobiography will become a reality after all. After last month’s disagreement between the former Smith’s leader and Penguin, the simply titled memoir is again slated to hit British bookshelves on October 17-- with the Penguin Classic imprint. Whether his book turns out be a key to the notoriously mysterious musician’s life remains to be seen, but it's a welcome development in this on-again, off-again saga. [via The Los Angeles Times]