Fans of the popular English rock band, The Beatles, were in for a surprise after the glimpses of the first look at the various actors who are set to play the roles of members of the iconic Rock Group in the upcoming film 'The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event,' which is directed by Sam Mendes, were shared by the makers of the film.
The Beatles, known for their iconic songs like “Hey Jude”, “Here Comes the Sun”, “Back In the USSR”, and many more, have amazed music lovers, and the band ruled the music industry back in the 60’s and 70’s.
Images revealed that The Gladiator 2 actor Paul Mescal is set to play the role of singer Paul McCartney, and the Irish actor Barry Keogan, known for his roles in films like ‘Saltburn’ and ‘Banshees Of Inisherin’, is to play the band drummer Ringo Starr. Joseph Quinn plays George Harrison, and singer John Lennon’s role is being played by Harris Dickinson. Mendes initially announced back in February 2024 that he was working on four intertwining Beatles movies, and during that time, The Beatles and Apple Corps Ltd. had granted the rights to access their life stories and also their music for the supposed four-part feature films.
On Friday January, 30th pictures of the actors set to play the roles of the legendary band members were released by Sony Pictures and as per reports the production seems to be currently underway and Mendes, will direct the four intersecting films that depicts one story from four individuals (members) perspective which is why the title is “The Beatles- A four- Film cinematic Event”.
Apart from them, the biopics will also feature Saoirse Ronan as Paul McCartney’s first wife, Linda, Mia McKenna Bruce as Ringo Starr’s wife, Maureen Starkey, and, quite notably, James Norton, who will portray Brian Epstein, the group’s manager. Harry Lloyd is going to portray George Martin, the producer who was considered the fifth Beatle.
The Beatles' | Images Source: Instagram and Wikipedia
But, the Beatles’ story was already put on the screen way back in 2009, in a film called “Nowhere Boy" which focused on John Lennon’s early life and the band’s teenage years and their transition from The Quarrymen into The Beatles in England. In that film, Aaron Taylor-Johnson played the part of Young Lennon, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster played Paul McCartney.
Earlier fans were privy to the Beatles' lives through other sources like the 2021 Disney documentary “Get back” which was directed by The Hobbit filmmaker, Peter Jackson. In the documentary, Jackson utilized the archival footage to depict the weeks that Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr spent writing, rehearsing, and also recording songs for the Album ‘Let It Be’.
All of the four Beatles movies are scheduled to be released in theatres in April 2028.
This article is written by Reddy Nagadithya, a student of Loyola Academy, Secunderabad, interning with Deccan Chronicle.
