Pic emerges of Michael Fassbender as Frank Sidebottom

The first picture of Michael Fassbender in new film 'Frank' has emerged online.

Fassbender stars in 'Frank' alongside Maggie Gyllenhaal and 'Harry Potter' star Domhnall Gleeson (son of actor Brendan Gleeson), and appears wearing a Frank Sidebottom head, the creation of Manchester musician Chris Sievey.

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It tells the tale of a young musician, Gleeson, who joins a pop group led by the bizarre and enigmatic Frank, and is being directed by Lenny Abrahamson.

It's been written by Guardian journalist Jon Ronson, who also wrote the George Clooney-starring 'Men Who Stare At Goats'.

Though it's thought that the film is inspired by the life of Sievey, who formed the punk band The Freshies and then later created his alter-ego Frank Sidebottom, Ronson, who was a friend of Sievey's, has been quick to shoot down talk of it being a biopic.

Taking to Twitter, Ronson said: “The film isn't a film about Frank Sidebottom. It's totally made up and - whilst inspired by Frank - is inspired by other people too.

“Daniel Johnston and Captain Beefheart are other inspirations. Bowled over that Michael Fassbender and Domhnall Gleeson are in our film.”

The film will be released through Artificial Eye later this year.

Sievey died penniless in 2010 aged 54, after being diagnosed with cancer. Ronson was among those who set up a campaign to raise money for his funeral, eventually hauling in over £20,000.