Las Vegas: Actors Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, Harris Dickinson, and Joseph Quinn have been officially cast as The Beatles in an ambitious four-film project directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Sir Sam Mendes.
The quadrilogy will mark the first time that all four Beatles’ estates have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.
Mescal, known for Normal People and Gladiator II, will portray Paul McCartney. Keoghan, star of Saltburn, will take on the role of Ringo Starr. Dickinson, recently seen in Babygirl, will play John Lennon, and Quinn, transitioning from Marvel’s Fantastic Four, will portray George Harrison.
The casting announcement was made at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where Mendes was joined on stage by the four actors. They recited lines from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, saying, “It’s wonderful to be here, it’s certainly a thrill,” before taking a synchronized Beatles-style bow.
Each of the four films will focus on a single band member’s perspective, with their stories intersecting at times. Mendes explained that, “The story of the band was too vast for a single film, but a TV series didn’t feel right either. Perhaps this is a chance to understand them more deeply.”
The films are expected to be released in close succession in April 2028, creating what Mendes calls the “first bingeable theatrical experience.” He emphasized the importance of large-scale cinematic events, adding, “We need big movies to get people out of the house.”
The Beatles’ cinematic legacy
This is not the first time The Beatles’ story has been explored on film. Past projects include:
- Backbeat (1994), which focused on their early career in Hamburg.
- Nowhere Boy (2009), which explored John Lennon’s early life and the band’s origins.
- George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011), a documentary by Martin Scorsese.
- Get Back (2021), Peter Jackson’s restoration of archival footage from the band’s Let It Be sessions.
However, Mendes’ quadrilogy will be the first fully authorized scripted depiction of The Beatles’ rise, struggles, and lasting influence.
Formed in 1960, The Beatles transformed youth culture and music history, producing groundbreaking albums like Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and The White Album. Despite splitting in 1970, they remain the best-selling band of all time.
Only two members survive today. John Lennon was murdered in 1980, and George Harrison died of cancer in 2001. In 2023, McCartney and Starr released Now and Then, a song based on one of Lennon’s old demos, featuring archival recordings of Harrison’s guitar. The track topped the charts and received Grammy and Brit Award nominations.
With its all-star cast, unique storytelling format, and unprecedented access to The Beatles’ legacy, Mendes’ film series aims to provide the most in-depth cinematic tribute ever made to one of the most influential bands in history.
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